by donating blood.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires blood and/or needs platelets. Countless lives are saved by the generosity and kindness of blood donors. A blood donor might help save your life or the life of a loved one.
Unfortunately, blood supplies can’t always meet the demand for blood since only about 3% of eligible people donate every year. The blood supply is dwindling as less people donate now than ever, especially in the younger generations.
Recognizing the importance of donating blood as an essential service in their community, Fountain Valley officials participated in a blood drive at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center.
Community members can also serve their own community by participating in these drives that take place every other month to help increase blood supply.
“It was great to see city officials giving back to the community,” said Christine Draper, project administrative coordinator, MemorialCare Blood Donor Centers. “Every blood donation matters in the lives of patients, and we hope that the example set by their donations will encourage others to participate.”
The Need for Blood Donations
By donating blood to your own community hospital, you contribute to the well-being of the entire community. You could help save the life of a friend, neighbor or family member! Blood donors help save lives, extend lives and improve quality of life for so many community members. Examples of those who may require blood transfusion include:
- Cancer patients
- Trauma patients
- Sickle Cell patients
- Burn patients
- Patients with chronic diseases
- Prematurely-born babies
- Maternity patients
For the donors themselves, donating blood offers many health benefits for the body. Blood donation can be a very healthy thing for those who have higher levels of iron in their body which contributes to a higher risk of heart disease and some cancers.
Blood donations are equally important for Orange Coast Medical Center as the funds saved from not needing to purchase blood supply elsewhere can help fund clinical research trials, comprehensive programs, and advance individualized treatment options for patients.
“Blood donations are incredibly valuable to Orange Coast Medical Center because they allow us to allocate resources where they’re needed the most,” said Draper. “By having a steady supply of donated blood, we can invest more in patient care, advanced medical equipment, treatments, and community health programs, ultimately enhancing the quality of care our care teams provide.”
To bolster the blood supply and support those in need within the community, seven officials of Fountain Valley have partnered up with Orange Coast Medical Center to combat this issue. To encourage community members to donate blood, Fountain Valley firefighters and city government employees have made the selfless decision to contribute to the cause.
“Donating blood may be a small thing, but it makes a huge impact for those in need,” said Jenni Worshman, manager of Recreation and Community at Fountain Valley. “To know my blood could save a life means the world to me, and I hope our actions bring awareness about the impact blood donations have on others and inspires the community to donate.”
Types of Blood Donations
There are several different blood types a person may have: A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, O positive, O negative, AB positive and AB negative. Red cells, platelets, and plasma are different types of blood donations used to treat different types of patients. Donors with “O negative” blood are Universal Donors, which means their blood can be given to all other blood types, making it essential for emergency room and premature infant patients.
Red cells help treat a patient suffering from iron deficiency, anemia, or a chronic condition where their body doesn’t supply enough red blood cells. This type of blood transfusion increases the patient’s hemoglobin and iron, while also helping increase oxygen levels throughout the body.
Platelets are needed for patients fighting cancer, chronic diseases or suffering from traumatic injuries. This transfusion of platelets helps create clots to stop the patient from bleeding and suffering tremendous blood loss.
Plasma donations (also known as plasmapheresis) are crucial in treating patients with severe burns, cancer, or other potentially-life threatening conditions. The Red Cross encourages donors with AB blood to donate plasma to help these patients.
“There is no substitute for blood,” says Draper. “Behind every patient receiving a lifesaving transfusion, there are donors willing to take an hour out of their day to help save their life. Their donation is the epitome of goodwill for their community.”
What is the Donation Process Like?
The donation process, in general, takes around 45 minutes from registration to refreshments after donation. Donors must be in good health and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. The MemorialCare Donor Center staff consists of nurses and phlebotomists who are highly specialized and trained to ensure a comfortable and positive donation experience for all.
Want to schedule appointment or learn more about donating blood? Please visit MemorialCare’s Blood Donation page. Your contribution will make a difference and give the gift of life to someone in need.