A blood drive set up at the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter in Allentown (Photo credit: Tatiana Madise/American Red Cross)
By Cristina Maisel
For many years, Harrisburg resident Shelly Sherfey and her husband made blood donation appointments together. They donated together regularly at American Red Cross blood drives, unaware that a routine appointment would bring important health information to light.
During one appointment, the Red Cross phlebotomist noticed something unusual during his health history interview. “Do you know you have an irregular heartbeat?” she asked. He had never been told that before. He contacted his doctor who advised him to immediately go to the emergency room to get checked out. He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, or Afib, a heart condition that increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other complications.
Sherfey credited having regular blood donation appointments as the reason her husband was alerted to his condition sooner than he might have discovered it otherwise. Although her husband no longer donates, she continues to give blood on her own.
“It’s the easiest thing in the world,” Sherfey said. “There’s no pain. Everyone is so kind and courteous and explains everything. It’s a great way to donate but not spend any money.”
Supporting Community Health through Blood Donation
Routine health screenings during blood donations can offer valuable insights. Every Red Cross blood donor is provided with basic health insights at each appointment, including pulse, blood pressure, temperature readings and hemoglobin levels.
During the month of March, the Red Cross will expand its health offerings to include A1C screening, a test commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes, for all donors who make a successful blood, platelets or plasma donation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8.7 million people in the U.S. have undiagnosed diabetes, and approximately 80% of people with prediabetes are unaware they have it.
By taking care of ourselves, we can help take care of one another. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule your blood donation appointment and learn more about your health.
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