Give the gift of a blood donation this holiday season

It’s the season of giving — if you’re eligible, why not give a gift that could save a life, or three? 

The Blood Bank of Delmarva says one pint of blood can save up to three lives.    

“Blood transfusions are lifesaving for many patients going through health concerns like cancer, emergent traumatic situations like a car accident, bleeding after childbirth, and many other situations,” said Lindsey Shortall, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM SBB^CM, who is a senior technical laboratory specialist at TidalHealth Nanticoke.  

Also, donated blood doesn’t last forever, Shortall said. Red blood cells last about 42 days and platelets last about five days. 

Though blood is continually needed, only 3 percent of people old enough to donate blood make donations, according to the National Institutes of Health.  

“A consistent supply of all blood types is necessary to provide quality care to the patients in our area,” Shortall said.   

By the numbers 

Shortall provided rough estimates, using data from the past several years, about the use of blood products in the TidalHealth system. An average of 24 units of blood are used every day.  

She said 75 percent or more of these donations are red blood cell units.  

“In the past five years, we have experienced more blood shortages at TidalHealth than ever before,” Shortall said. 

There are plans in place if the blood supply were to get dangerously low, which could include postponing some surgical procedures and a close monitoring of blood transfusion orders for certain patients.  

Blood types 

No matter your blood type, your blood donation helps — and if you don’t know what type you are, you can find out by donating blood. 

While many have heard of people with Type O blood being a “universal donor,” Shortall said it’s better to prioritize this blood for patients with an unknown blood type or for people who can only receive Type O blood. If people with Type A, B and AB blood donate, then those types of blood can be used for people who match those types and O can be saved for those who really need it.  

AB plasma is often used for neonatal patients and emergent transfusions, she said.  

What to expect 

She said the blood volume is replaced within a day and it takes four to eight weeks for the replenishment of red blood cells. People can make whole blood donations every eight weeks. If you’re interested in another type of donation, such as platelets or double red cell donations, talk to team members at the donation site. 

How to donate