Editorial: Donating blood makes profound difference

Published 4:00 pm Sunday, June 30, 2019

By Staff reports

There’s an old saying about spare tires and jumper cables: You don’t need it until you need it, but when you need it, you really need it.

The same is true about blood and blood donations.

Donating blood is a simple way to make a profound difference in the lives of patients, according to the Red Cross.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the Red Cross.

Each blood donation can help up to three people.

Roughly 6.8 million people donate blood through the Red Cross each year.

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

There are several opportunities to give the gift of blood throughout the coming weeks:

• Wednesday, July 3 from 3-7 p.m. at the Tifton Mall.

• Friday, July 5 from 1-5 p.m. at Walmart Supercenter on Highway 82.

• Monday, July 8 from 3-7 p.m. at Northside Baptist Church.

• Friday, July 12 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at the Tift Regional Events Center at 1657 S. Carpenter Road.

To ensure a successful donation, be sure to hydrate, wear comfortable clothing, eat, bring a list of any medications and an ID.

More information: Call (800) RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

To help, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. 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.