Do something amazing! Donate blood!

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and 4.5 million Americans will need blood transfusions each year. Sadly, only 5 percent of the eligible United States population donates blood in any given year. Healthy donors are the only source of blood for the supplies that are needed to save lives. Currently there is no substitute. If all blood donors gave three times a year, blood shortages would be a rare event!

Why is blood such an important part of everyday life? Blood is the liquid that circulates throughout the entire body, carrying nutrients to every cell and at the same time carrying away waste products. Blood plays a central role in the body's defenses. Through a network of miles and miles of vessels, blood is pumped by the heart to every part of the body. The average adult body contains about 10 pints of blood. There are four main components of blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. In addition, blood is vitally important, because it contains various nutrients and minerals.

Humans can't live without blood. Without blood, the body's organs couldn't get the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive; we couldn't keep warm or cool off, fight infections, or get rid of our own waste products. Blood donation sites throughout the United States ensure that the safest possible blood is readily available whenever and wherever needed -- for the military, blood centers across the United States and for all 5,000 of America's hospitals.


Through the organized efforts of the Estes Park Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Garth Englund Blood Center from Poudre Valley Hospital, Estes Park residents generously gave 109 units of blood. Drives are held at Estes Park Medical Center every January, April and September. The next blood drive will be held April 30, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Estes Park Medical Center's Longs Peak and Meeker Conference Rooms.

We all expect blood to be there for us, but barely a fraction of those who can give, do volunteer. Sooner or later, virtually all of us face a time when blood is needed. Too often, that time is unexpected.

The general guidelines for donating blood are as follows:

Individuals must be healthy and be at least 17 years old

Weight must be at least 110 pound

Individuals must not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks (56 days) or a donation of double red cells in the last 16 weeks (111 days)

Healthy means that you feel well and can perform normal activities

If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.

Other aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process, before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination, during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count (hemoglobin or hematocrit) are measured.

Before you donate:

Get a good night's sleep

Have a good breakfast or lunch

Eat iron-rich foods -- red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals, raisins, etc.

Avoid fatty food before donating -- tests for infections done on all donated blood can be affected by fatty materials that can appear in your blood for several hours after eating fatty foods. When this occurs and required testing cannot be performed, the blood may need to be discarded.

Be sure to bring personal identification.

Why give blood?

You will ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.

Blood is something money can't buy. It is something one person can give to another.

You may become a hero in someone's life -- a newborn child, a mother or father, brother or sister. You can give someone another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.

The rarest blood type is the one not on the shelf when it's needed by a patient.

It's the right thing to do!

For additional information, call 577-4390.