Blood Donations

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Jan 10, 2020

Did you know that January is National Blood Donor Month? According to the January Mayo Clinic Newsletter, January is a very low month for blood donations. There are several reasons for his including holiday travel, sickness due to the flu as well as bad weather.

Just to raise awareness of this need for the month of January, I've included part of this article, as well as the link to the entire article.

January is National Blood Donor Month
by Jen O'Hara

January can be a tough month for blood banks. Donations are often down because of holiday vacations, bad weather, and people sick with cold and flu. According to the American Red Cross, 13,000 blood donations are needed each day to be able to help all the patients in need. To encourage donations this time of year, January is National Blood Donor Month.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Justin Kreuter, a Mayo Clinic transfusion medicine physician, will explain the importance of blood donation and how you can become a donor. Also on the program, Dr. Edward Laskowski, co-director of Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, will share new exercise guidelines for cancer patients. Then Dr. Adela Taylor, a Mayo Clinic Health System allergy and immunology physician, will explain how to manage upper respiratory illness. And Kristen Frie, a Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program registered dietitian, will explain the new Nutrition Facts labels.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/champions/newsfeed-detail/?link_id=5020915&elqTrackId=EDB15597A6F6AD75574939751865DFC6&elq=e8051a45d84549b7af70fe0f4e498efa&elqaid=887&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=393

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

@hopeful33250 Unfortunately, I cannot donate blood any longer. I used to 5 times a year. In 1988, when I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus, the next time I went to donate they decided they would not allow me to donate. During my childhood and young adulthood my father donated 5 times a year to his local blood bank, and even won some kind of award for the amount of blood he donated.
If you can, please do so!
Ginger

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@hopeful33250 when I was younger I donated the maximum number of times allowed. I recently thought I would like to donate again but my transplant department does not want me to due to my numbers being on the low side.
JK

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@hopeful33250
I donate platelets every two weeks up to 24 times a year and Plasma once a month and blood 3-4 times a year. I fell a little short last year due to multiple hospitalizations and surgeries.
A doctor said I had Hepatitis B when I was 20 and it wasn't until I had anti-body and Antigen tests 45 years later when it was proven I never had any type of hepatitis, I could’ve been donating all those years.
I chose to donate platelets because of the short shelf life of only five days and also they are greatly needed by so many cancer patients and children with cancer.
Thanks for donating kids,
Jake

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Thanks, @jakedduck1, @contentandwell and @gingerw for your comments regarding blood donations. I certainly understand the need and some of the restrictions that are placed on people with weakened immune systems. It looks like you have all done your part!

@jakedduck1 a special thank you to you for continuing with the platelet donation on such a regular basis. You help provide help and hope for many cancer patients!

I would enjoy hearing from others who have donated blood on a regular basis at one time or another. I'm sure there are a lot of heroes in the Connect community!

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@hopeful33250 Hi teresa I havent been able to give blood in a long time as I pass out each time and am sick for a day but I just heard an URGENT need in the L.A. area is for Type B blood so hope those who can in Calif donate to the Red Cross blood bank or where ever you are as they share the donation of blood I have worked for the Red Cross at there blood drives but wish I could donate . Thank you Linda

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@hopeful33250

Thanks, @jakedduck1, @contentandwell and @gingerw for your comments regarding blood donations. I certainly understand the need and some of the restrictions that are placed on people with weakened immune systems. It looks like you have all done your part!

@jakedduck1 a special thank you to you for continuing with the platelet donation on such a regular basis. You help provide help and hope for many cancer patients!

I would enjoy hearing from others who have donated blood on a regular basis at one time or another. I'm sure there are a lot of heroes in the Connect community!

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@hopeful33250
I can’t think of anything more satisfying than helping others especially when lives may depend on it. I wanted to donate on Christmas but was out of town so I gave on New Year’s. It's such a fulfilling experience. I just recruited someone to go with me the next time I go.
Take care,
Jake

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I started donating right after high school whenever the opportunity arose. That did not last long, because one year later I became diabetic and no more donations were allowed.

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@hopeful33250 unfortunately, I can no longer donate. As a nurse, when I would administer units of blood to cancer patients, I always thought about the wonderful people who had donated and saved a life. 🤗

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Yes, @becsbuddy, I'm sure as a nurse you can well appreciate this life-giving donation.

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@2011panc

I started donating right after high school whenever the opportunity arose. That did not last long, because one year later I became diabetic and no more donations were allowed.

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It is so good that you donated blood when you were able to, @2011panc. It does make a difference for others who are battling diseases.

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