January is well known for being a time of self reflection & change, and a time where we make goals centered around what we desire to accomplish in life. What better way to support not only ourselves, but each other by making a contribution to the many who are in need? All types are accepted, and type O is needed the most.
To make an appointment to donate, contact the American Red Cross by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).Those who have received Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccines are eligible to donate without wait. Remember, a donation is not simply a donation, but also an action which can help save lives.
To learn more about the importance of blood donation, visit the Association for the Advancement for Blood & Biotherapies website to learn about blood as an essential medicine and about how our community is making an effort to drive donor diversity. Also, donating blood is also a way to receive a free health screening? Some underlying health conditions such as genetic mutations or hereditary hemochromatosis can be found simply by donating blood.
Lastly, did you know that the School of Medicine and Health Sciences actually has a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Blood Banking for Medical Laboratory Science? To find more about this online program, its career outlook and curriculum, we highly recommend that you request more information to see if this is the right course for you.
Additional reading can be found at the Himmelfarb Library:
The gift relationship : from human blood to social policy
Transfusion medicine and hemostasis : clinical and laboratory aspects
A systematic review of incentives in blood donation
Service quality in blood donation: satisfaction, trust and loyalty
Blood Donation across the Life Course: The Influence of Life Events on Donor Lapse
