Saving Lives Through Blood Donation
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and/or platelets. Every day, about 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed across our country and approximately 16 million blood components are transfused every single year.
These numbers may seem overwhelming, but the reality is, donating blood just once can save up to three lives. Your donation could help someone injured in an accident, undergoing chemotherapy or who has a blood disease, just to name a few.
Winter is notoriously the lowest time of the year for blood donations, with the holidays and winter weather. But for those who are able, I would encourage you to find a blood drive nearest you, and donate! You can donate blood once every 56 days.
As an OB/GYN, having blood products available for my patients is critical – about 3 percent of women need a blood transfusion after giving birth. While bleeding is normal after birth, excessive bleeding, called a postpartum hemorrhage, requires immediate treatment, and part of that treatment can be blood/blood products.
Because blood has a limited shelf life, and can be stored only for a limited period of time before it must be used, regular, safe blood donations are important. It’s a simple and quick process – you’ll be asked questions about your medical history, medications you are taking and your current health, among others. You’ll be evaluated to be sure that you can safely donate blood. Then, get comfortable! The donation process takes just 10 to 15 minutes, and you have no restrictions afterward – just be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
If you have any concerns or questions about whether it’s safe for you to donate blood, speak to your primary care provider. To find a blood drive near you, visit www.versiti.org.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist Shawna Ruple, M.D., sees patients at MidMichigan Obstetrics & Gynecology in Midland and performs procedures and delivers babies at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland and MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch. Dr. Ruple specializes in routine and problem gynecology care, gynecologic surgery, prevention of female reproductive cancers, birth control options, caring for women while pregnant and more.
