News
Veteran Blood Donors Highlight Need To Give
By Rob Lindston
SHREWSBURY - Veteran blood donors Jim and Linda Parker visited Central Jersey Blood Center in Shrewsbury last Wednesday on a special mission.
For the past four years, the Parkers have been driving across the country donating blood in every state.
They have driven over 100,000 miles in their white mini-van with "Donating across America" stenciled across the side, trying to raise public awareness about the need for blood donations.
Jim, a retired high school teacher, and Linda a sixth grade teacher, of McPherson, Kansas, have been donating blood since 1977.
The Parkers eventually intend to donate blood in all 50 states. Though this sounds difficult, the Parkers have divided their mission into two phases. The first, "donating in all 34 American Red Cross Blood Regions located in 27 states," was completed on August 3, 2006. The second objective to donate blood in the 16 remaining states should be completed by the end of this year. Currently they have only eight states left to visit.
Preferring not to focus on themselves, the Parkers say they are promoting blood donations because they believe it truly is one of the most important steps we as a society can take to save a life. According to the Red Cross Web site "you may help save up to three lives with just one donation."
The need for blood is great; nearly 38,000 donations are needed every day in communities across America. That means that nearly every two seconds, someone needs blood. However, only 65 percent of the population is eligible to donate and of that number, only five percent do donate regularly.
The blood harvested during a blood drive is so important because it is used as a treatment in a multitude of procedures and diseases. From sickle cell anemia to cancer treatment, to blood transfusions that help keep people alive.
The blood taken during a blood drive can be divided up in several ways. The blood can be preserved in its current state and administered as regular blood. This is called "whole blood." Blood donations may also be separated into different parts in order to treat specific problems. Blood is essentially a mixture of Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. From these basic components come other compounds such as Cryoprecipitate, which is used as a method of treating hemophilia.
Here's a brief break down of what your donation can be used for: Red blood cells are used for trauma victims, anemic people, or people undergoing surgery.
Platelets are used to clot wounds and are specifically used on cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Plasma is often given to burn victims because of its high water content as well as dissolved proteins and minerals. Finally, whole blood is often given to infants, premature babies and open-heart surgery patients. In order to give blood there are several requirements that must be satisfied. You must be seventeen or older, weigh more than 110 pounds, be relatively healthy, and you cannot have given blood within the last 56 days (you can donate platelets every three days). For a more in-depth list check www.redcross.org.
The summer months also mark a drop-off in donations. According to Mrs. Debra Shapiro of the Central Jersey Blood Center "during the summer we lose the high school donations and that causes a major drop in our blood supply. To counter this drop the Central Jersey Blood Center is holding a community event on August 16th. This will be a carnival type drive with games, gifts, and food for kids and donors. The drive will take place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Blood Center, 494 Sycamore Avenue. However before then you can donate blood once and platelets several times.
Blood is a vital part of modern medical treatments. The odds are high that at some point in your life, you or a loved one will need a transfusion.
