Ironically, January is National Blood Donor Awareness Month, as the American Red Cross has declared a National Blood Shortage Crisis for the first time in history. All of this is thanks to the rampant spread of the highly-contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant. This is quite troubling, considering many of the clients for whom we provide care may very well need blood at some point, and there may not be enough to go around.
What about our family members? What if they should suddenly befall ill or be involved in a life-threatening accident requiring a certain type of blood, and none is available? It is a terrifying reality right now.
I may highlight awareness months more than you would like, but they are AWARENESS MONTHS for a reason! We need to stay AWARE about many different things. A blood shortage is a severely dire circumstance in unprecedented times, so this awareness month recognition is more than timely.
Whole Blood
- Donation frequency: Every 56 days, up to 6 times a year
- You must be in good health and feeling well
- You must be at least 16 years old in most states
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs
Platelets
- Donation frequency: Every 7 days, up to 24 times/year
- You must be in good health and feeling well
- You must be at least 17 years old in most states
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs
AB Elite Plasma
- Donation frequency: Every 28 days, up to 13 times/year
- You must have type AB blood
- You must be in good health and feeling well
- You must be at least 17 years old
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs
According to the ARC, there may be constraints as to why someone may not be eligible to donate, such as cold, flu or other symptoms; you lack information about medications you are taking; your blood sample shows low iron; or you’ve recently traveled outside of the United States. Being a senior 65 years-of-age plus, is not an excuse NOT to donate blood.
I encourage you to help if you can, because lives depend on it, which may include yours! As a professional caregiver and owner of Home Helpers Clearwater, I hope anyone who can will answer the call locally and donate life today!
At Home Helpers® Clearwater, we are more than an in-home healthcare service, we can provide transportation assistance to blood donation sites, doctor appointments and more!
Our professional caregivers are highly-trained, experienced and compassionate when helping seniors in a variety of ways. I offer a FREE Consultation to assess specific needs, which helps me create a customized care plan that will make life easier and safer for you or your senior loved one.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have received the Home Care Pulse – Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award for the fifth consecutive year: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021. We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
Source:
American Red Cross
