January is National Blood Donor Month

 

National Blood Donor Month was started in 1970. However, it was in the 1930s that Charles Richard Drew worked on the banking of blood products and the logistics of collecting and distributing the blood that saved countless lives in the trenches of World War II and in the wards of military and civilian hospitals. At the time, there was no national blood bank. The Red Cross enlisted Drew to start a pilot program that included innovations such as community donation centers in storefronts, factories and ‘bloodmobiles’. The blood was processed in a single central laboratory under strict, uniform standards. Drew’s success led to his appointment as director of the organization’s New York blood bank, tasked with collecting blood from 100,000 donors for the American military.[1]

 

“According to the World Health Organization, blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life.”[2] The Red Cross also states that life-saving blood and platelets are needed every two seconds in the US to help patients dealing with injury or illness. The continuation of the pandemic has significantly decreased the national blood supply–leaving many hospitals with a major emergency. 

 

Currently, the United States is lacking sufficient blood donations from its largest minority groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. Part of this reason is distrust in the American healthcare system, and also the antiquated law that prohibits gay males from donating blood and platelets because of HIV/AIDS fears. 

 

As the pandemic surges on, the US needs to update its blood donation eligibility requirements in order to meet the needs of its diverse population. This is something that other countries are already addressing. Those who were deemed high-risk based on previous misconceptions should be assessed equally. Addressing our fears, misconceptions and biases is a vital first step for safely removing additional barriers to blood donation and to help save lives. Every drop that can be safely used, should be used.[3]

 

The MPI Potomac DE&I and Community Outreach committees ask chapter members to take part in National Blood Donor Month because one person can save up to three lives[4]. Learn more from the American Red Cross or the INOVA Blood Donor Services and schedule your appointment today. If you do, share your story on social media (be sure to tag @mpipotomac) and encourage others to make a life-saving donation, as well.

 

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[1]Charles Richard Drew (1904–1950): Father of blood banking (nih.gov)
[2] National Blood Donor Month- January 2022, National Today
[3] “Removing unfair barriers to blood donation,” The Lancet Haematology
[4] “Facts About Blood Supply In The U.S.” Red Cross Blood Services