Aspirus Health Marks Importance of Life Saving Month through Community Partnerships
Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood or platelets. Findings like that from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are why it’s so important for Aspirus Health to partner with organizations like Memorial Blood Centers in Duluth and the other communities it serves.
The demand for blood donors is constant. Patients can need a blood transfusion after an accident, because of complications from childbirth, for cancer treatments, and a number of other serious health concerns. Blood can’t be manufactured and only blood from volunteer blood donors is used for transfusions. That’s why experts say blood donation partnerships are crucial for this life-saving therapy.
“We are so lucky to have a blood center here in our community that provides blood to our community,” Jennifer Alaspa, Aspirus St. Luke’s Laboratory Director said. “We always have a ready supply, so if there is an emergency, we don’t have to wait for it to come from hours away. It is here in our community, and so I think we have a very important resource here.”
Through blood drives at Aspirus St. Luke’s in the last year 195 units of blood were collected by Memorial Blood Centers, saving up to 600 lives. Giving blood is easy and more than half the population is able to donate.
“Most people without medical conditions can donate blood, and then some medical conditions, you can still donate blood even if you have them,” said Angela Engbloom, senior manager for Duluth Operations at Memorial Blood Centers. “So, if you have any health concerns, you should reach out and then we can check to see if you’re eligible. But it’s really about 60-some percent of the population who can donate blood.”
How often you give blood depends on the type of donation and a donor’s health. Those giving whole blood can donate every 56 days, up to six times a year. Those donating a double red blood unit must wait 16 weeks between donations, platelet apheresis donors can give every seven days up to 24 times a year and plasma donors can make gifts every six to 14 days depending on the donor program. Contact Memorial Blood Centers at mbc.org or call 888-448-3253 to learn more about donating blood in Minnesota.
Wisconsin Residents:
To find out if you are an eligible donor, call the Blood Center of Northcentral Wisconsin at 866-566-5900 or the Community Blood Center at 800-280-4102.
Donations take on average one hour and with just one donation, several lives can be saved.
To locate a blood drive near you, visit https://www.communityblood.org/ or call 800-280-4102.
Upper Michigan Residents:
Aspirus partners with the UP Regional Blood Center to provide local opportunities to donate blood. Without the generosity of the community members who give so selflessly, patients would not have the blood they require for emergency needs or ongoing treatments. Together, we can help save lives and support more people across our communities.
For more information about giving blood, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/. For more information on the U.P. Regional Blood Center, blood center locations or to set up a blood drive visit https://www.uphealthsystem.com/regional-blood-center.