Give the Gift of Life
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Give the Gift of Life

Give blood, give life: One hour out of your day can truly be life-saving

Every two seconds, someone in America needs a blood transfusion. Be it for scheduled surgeries and childbirth to trauma and cancer treatments, one in seven patients entering a hospital requires blood.

According to America's Blood Centers, 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only 3% do. Although that generous 3% donates over 13 million units annually, it’s not enough to meet the ongoing need.

Did you know…?

  • A car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.

  • Transfusions are needed in the U.S. in one out of every 83 deliveries.

  • More than a quarter of the U.S. blood supply is used by patients battling cancer.

  • Red blood cell donations must be transfused within 42 days of collection.

SOURCES: America’s Blood Centers and The Association for Blood Donor Professionals

 

If you’ve never given blood before, it’s natural to be nervous the first time. Here’s what you should know about giving and what to expect from the experience:

To Give

You must be:

  • Be 17 years of age or older, or 16 with parental consent.

  • Weigh at least 110 pounds. Additional weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors.

  • In good health.

When Giving

You will need to:

  • Sign in, show an ID, and be asked to read some required information.

  • Answer some questions online or in a private interview and receive a general health check.

  • Be seated or lie down while blood is drawn, which will take only 8-10 minutes.

FYI:

  • Beyond the initial needlestick that lasts one or two seconds, the process of donating is pain-free.

  • A Red Cross representative will be present to make sure you’re feeling well throughout the donation and to answer any questions you may have.

  • When you give blood, you also give away calories, about 650 per pint.

After Giving:

You will:

  • Be encouraged to enjoy a provided snack and a drink for 10-15 minutes before resuming your day.

  • You will be eligible to give again in 56 days.

 

In all, the entire donation process takes about an hour.

If you have questions about factors that may influence your ability to give, including tattoos, medications, blood pressure, etc., visit the American Red Cross Blood Services page. 

You may also want to check out the Red Cross’ “What to Expect” page, which is filled with helpful tips for ensuring your first (of hopefully many) donation goes smoothly.

 

To find blood donation centers and community blood drives, click here or visit the Red Cross website to schedule your donation.

 

Angela Theiss, MD, is a pathologist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, in Bennington. 

Print
2051

Theme picker

MORE NEWS

 

 

 

Resuming Regular Care

So many important medical appointments were booked for March and April and canceled during the height of the pandemic. Now we are beginning to refocus on the fact that skipping appointments, even if you are feeling well now, could become harmful.

One important group of patients that we are eager to see are those with serious chronic conditions. These diseases require patients to see their primary care provider or a specialist at least once a year and sometimes far more frequently than that. Those with heart failure, kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for instance, all require regular contact with your provider.

Another group of patients we'd like to see are those with new medical concerns. We know that new medical concerns don't stop during a pandemic. Some conditions, like depression and anxiety, are far more prevalent during a pandemic than before. In many cases, new conditions are easiest to treat when patients first notice symptoms, and delaying care for these conditions can be dangerous.

Even regular care for those who are healthy is as important as ever. Other diseases—cancer in particular—haven't gone away. So, if you would normally be getting a screening such as a colonoscopy or mammogram, it's time to schedule an appointment. Many cancers can be detected and treated early with better outcomes. We can only expect those good results, if people are screened.

For children, regular vaccines are very important. If a big portion of the population neglects to get important childhood vaccines on schedule, we may be susceptible to outbreaks of measles or whooping cough.

There are many steps we have taken to improve safety for those seeking medical care. The first one is the availability of telemedicine. If the condition you are seeking treatment for does not require diagnostics or a physical exam, your provider can meet you virtually using any Internet-enabled device or over the phone. See details here.

If you do need to come to the office, you will notice check-ins at entrances, where staff check patients and visitors for respiratory symptoms and ensure that all are masked. You'll also notice efforts to space the waiting rooms to improve social distancing.

So how do you get the care you need?

  • If you have a primary care provider, call in to see what you may have missed during the pandemic. Did you miss an appointment to manage a chronic condition? Also share any new health concerns you have and check that you and your family members are up to date on all of your screenings and vaccinations.
  • If you don’t have a regular doctor, it makes sense to get one now. Locally, call the find-a-provider line at 802-447-5007 for a directory of practices that are accepting new patients.
  • Those with time-sensitive medical needs can use ExpressCare, a walk-in clinic, on the hospital campus in Bennington. Be sure to call ahead to 802-440-4077 if you have respiratory symptoms.
  • For Emergency Care, always come directly to the SVMC Emergency Department.

Most off all, we want our patients to know that we are here for them. There is no longer a need to delay medical care, whether for known conditions, new concerns, or preventive care. In every step we take, we are protecting patients against COVID-19 and helping patients with all of their other medical needs, too.

Bob Schwartz, MD, is associate medical director of Dartmouth- Hitchcock Putnam Physicians at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington and a family medicine physician at SVMC Northshire Campus in Manchester.

Theme picker

MORE NEWS

Theme picker

VIEW ALL

Theme picker

VIEW ALL

Our Services

PARTNERSHIP IS POWERFUL MEDICINE

A commitment to excellence and a patient-centered approach sets Southwestern Vermont Health Care apart.

 Cancer Care
 Orthopedics
 Emergency
 Maternity
 Primary Care
 ExpressCare
 Cardiology
 Rehab & Residential Care
View All Services

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker

Theme picker

VIEW ALL