Brandy Reisdorff donates blood to honor her family members that needed transfusions.
January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to celebrate the lifesaving impact of blood and platelet donors. It has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years and coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients and this year is no exception.
For Brandy Reisdorff, she donates because of the close connection between the need for blood and her family.
“The main reason I donate is because of my sister’s fight against Stage 4 Breast Cancer. She was diagnosed at age 30 and was terminal upon diagnosis,” said Reisdorff. “Watching her and seeing the transfusions bring life back to her. When you only have 6 years to live and you have children and family, you don’t want to spend it tired and exhausted. The quality those transfusions provides is so important.”
Brandy’s sister, Tracy, passed away at the age of 36 in February of 2011.
“A lot of my family has had blood transfusions, or platelets. I thought it was important. I started donating more after my sister passed to do something in her memory,” said Brandy. “I donate in February, the month she passed away. Then I would donate in May for her birthday and I try and donate again in the fall and for Christmas. It is my gift for her.”
However, it is not only her sister’s life that motivates her to consistently donate blood, but her son’s life as well. When her son, Kody, had a Tonsillectomy, he faced complications. Those complications lead to a significant amount of blood loss. When Kody was brought to the hospital, he was given a blood transfusion.
“He was as pale white as he could be when we brought him in. He got a blood transfusion and it instantly brought the color and life back into his little body,” said Reisdorff.
Brandy also explained how her mother received blood transfusions during complications during birth.
“Blood donors can really improve the quality of life for someone and their family. I mean, in a lot of cases it is life-saving, but it can also just be to improve someone’s quality of life while they have it,” said Reisdorff.
Brandy and her family reside in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. And those needs do not diminish during disasters or pandemics. That patient could be a grandparent battling COVID-19 in need of convalescent plasma, a child battling cancer, an accident victim being raced into the ER, or new mom with a complicated childbirth.
Through our national inventory system, the Red Cross has the ability to move blood around the country to wherever and whenever it is needed most. With the help of volunteer donors, the Red Cross stands ready to provide blood and blood products as needed in response to these ongoing emergencies both large and small.
The NFL and Red Cross Partnership: The American Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals, especially those who have recovered from COVID-19, to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage.
The Red Cross has teamed up with the NFL to offer those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma, Jan. 1-31, 2021, a chance to win a getaway to the 2022 Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to give Jan. 1-20, 2021, will also be automatically entered to win a Big Game at Home package, which includes a 65-inch television and $500 gift card toward food and fun so their household can enjoy an awesome viewing experience safely at home. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.
Two ways COVID-19 survivors can help
Health emergencies don’t pause for holidays, game days or a pandemic – blood is needed every two seconds in the U.S. to help patients battling injury and illness. As COVID-19 cases have risen across the U.S., so has the need for convalescent plasma – leading to a shortage of this potentially lifesaving blood product.
There are two ways those who have recovered from COVID-19 can make a big difference:
Kick off the year by making a lifesaving donation this National Blood Donor Month.
COVID-19 Blood Donation Safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.