Blood is one of the most precious gifts you give another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life or even several, if your blood is separated into its components. Safe blood saves lives and improves health. Blood transfusion is needed for:
- Children with severe anemia, often resulting from malaria or malnutrition;
- Women with complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and hemorrhage before, during or after childbirth;
- People with severe trauma following man-made and natural disasters;
- Many complex medical and surgical procedures and cancer patients.
Blood is also needed for regular transfusions for people with conditions such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease and is used to make products such as clotting factors for people with hemophilia.
Regular blood donations are constantly needed because blood and its components can be stored for only a limited time. To give blood or schedule a blood drive for your church or school, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
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Featured in: March/April 2020
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