During the holidays season blood donations often drop off. Holiday parties, family trips and illness make blood donations problematic. But the need for blood doesn’t get a break for the holiday season. One pint of blood can save the lives of 3 people. Donating blood is a very impactful and selfless act that a person can perform since it directly saves lives and supports the healthcare system overall.

Everyone that meets these requirements should go out to their local hospital or blood donation center and donate blood over the holiday season.

Blood is needed everywhere, and hospitals need a steady supply of blood for many treatments. For example, different procedures like surgeries, cancer treatments, and trauma cases all require bloods and of all various types. These donations aren’t just for emergencies, they can support patients that are undergoing chemotherapy and even those who are born with inherited blood disorders like sickle cell disease. By donating, individuals provide so much hope and life to patients who are facing life situations that require blood to survive. 

Additionally, donating blood isn’t just to those receiving it, but the donors themselves. When donating, it stimulates the production of new blood cells that can help maintain healthy iron levels and can even help reduce heart disease by lowering the excess iron in the body. Throughout this process, many blood donation centers offer some free services that are crucial to know for someone’s personal health. Many centers have free health screenings, check blood pressure, hemoglobin levels, and other infectious diseases that are important information for everyone to know. 

In general, blood is always needed and it wont stay ready for use forever. With the average shelf life of red blood cells is around 42 days and platelets only last 5 days, there is a need for constant donations. Some people might say that donating blood is scary as most have a fear of needles, but by donating you are helping individuals that are in desperate need. 

Donating blood is crucial to making the medical field a better place as blood, no matter the type, is needed on the daily basis. The American Red Cross challenges families to start a new holiday tradition – donating blood as a group as part of your holiday festivities. It is a gift that cost nothing to give and could have the most impact.