This National Preparedness Month in September, Vitalant urges donors of all types, especially type O, to give blood. Donors are needed daily to ensure an adequate supply is ready for every possible scenario, from planned surgeries and medical treatments to natural and human-caused disasters.
Most people are eligible to donate blood, yet only about 3% do.
Type O blood is critical in emergencies when a patient’s blood type is not known. O-negative can help any patient and O-positive is the next best alternative.
Blood donors of all other blood types and platelet donors make sure many other patients can be matched with a suitable lifesaving treatment.
• Giving blood is also an important way to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September. Cancer patients are among the most frequent recipients of blood and platelets.
In the U.S. nearly 55,000 people under age 20 are living with or in remission from a type of blood cancer, including leukemia, the most common among that age group.
Among all ages, blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are diagnosed about every three minutes in the U.S.
More than a quarter of the U.S. blood supply is used by patients battling cancer; more than 40% of platelet transfusions are for cancer patients.
Blood and platelet transfusions from healthy blood donors can help replace the blood cells destroyed by cancer and its treatment. A six-year-old boy who was diagnosed with leukemia this year has already received eight transfusions in his battle with the disease.
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September serves as an important reminder that a diverse representation of blood donors is key to helping patients who need frequent blood transfusions.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes "sickle" shaped red blood cells that can stick together, blocking blood flow and oxygen from reaching parts of the body. This can cause anemia, tissue and organ damage and pain episodes.
Repeated blood transfusions can help alleviate pain and other complications. While blood is matched by A, B and O blood groups, those who need frequent transfusions often need blood more closely matched.
Donors with a similar ethnic background can help provide that additional matching. One in three African American blood donors are a match for a sickle cell patient.
• Vitalant is thanking donors with a limited-time offer.
From Sept. 5 – Oct. 5, all who come to give with Vitalant will automatically be entered into the Pumpkin Spice Giveaway and have chance to win one of five $5,000 prepaid gift cards of their choice.
The link donors can click on to make their appointment is
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