January is National Blood Donor month. Many of our facilities regularly hold blood drives in collaboration with the American Red Cross. Our next blood drives will be held at Amsterdam Cares, Ontario Center, and Waterfront Center. Mark your calendars for these blood drives if you are in the area:

Waterfront Center’s Blood Drive – Tuesday, February 21st from 12 PM – 4 PM: https://www.facebook.com/events/224244571351205/

Ontario Center’s Blood Drive – Wednesday, February 22nd from 12 PM – 4 PM: https://www.facebook.com/events/1240948175985253/

Amsterdam Cares’s Blood Drive – Friday, February 21st from 12 PM – 4 PM: https://www.facebook.com/events/218889705187930/

 

As our aging population continues to grow, they will need more procedures done thus further increasing the need for blood, which has been in short supply for many years. Luckily, millions of volunteers donate blood every year, almost a third of these volunteers were first-time donors.

Why is the need for blood so great? To put things in perspective, someone who was in a nasty car accident would need as many as 100 pints of blood. The blood donation process can only acquire up to 1 pint of blood per donor. 100 generous volunteers must come together to save the life of 1.

 

To be an eligible blood donor, a person must:

– Be at least 16 years of age (depending on your state law)

– Weight at least 110 pounds

– Must be in good health (a cold, flu, bout of hypertension, anemia, or diabetes might make the donor temporarily ineligible.)

 

A potential blood donor becomes ineligible if they:

– Ever used needles to take drugs

– Are HIV positive

– Suffer from Hepatitis

 

There is no other way to create blood. The only way patients can get the blood they need for live saving medical procedures is through the kindness of donors. Blood donation only requires a fraction of the total amount of blood an average adult pumps in their body, and eligible donors can donate every 56 days.

We appreciate any way you can donate. Whether you are a blood donor or financial donor, you’ll be saving lives.