You may not be aware of it, but June 14th is World Blood Donor Day! If you aren’t already a blood donor and are healthy, this is the perfect time to sign up. It’s a simple way to help others who find themselves in an emergency where they need a transfusion. And if you have universal donor type O-negative, it’s even more important to get out and give it up!
How the Blood Is Used
Multiple countries around the world participate in World Blood Donor Day. The blood is always used in a similar manner, helping with both emergency and planned treatments. It can help support someone with a long or complicated medical procedure and extend the lifespan of those with a life-threatening condition. It’s also essential in emergencies where patients lose blood, whether from an accident, natural disaster, or something else. Each blood bank will have different hospitals and organizations they work with to ensure that patients who need the blood most get it.
Coastal Bend Blood Center
Coastal Bend Blood Center is actually in Corpus Christi, but that’s only a short drive from Robstown. The drive is nothing in comparison to saving a life. This blood donation center makes it easy to donate with blood drives that are going on nearly every day. On June 14th, there’s a blood drive scheduled at H-E-B Plus Saratoga from 4 to 7 p.m. Organizers may add more to their calendar as the date approaches. If you can’t donate on the 14th, find a blood drive on a different day that does meet your schedule.
Corpus Christi Medical Center
Another local place to donate blood is the Corpus Christi Medical Center, an HCA Affiliated Hospital. Donating blood in a hospital makes some people feel more comfortable. Some feel more confident it’s a sterile environment, even though every donation location must be sterile. People also think blood is used quickly if donated at a hospital. You can expect clear guidelines on what to expect when you arrive, so nothing should come as a surprise.
Consider Donating Plasma
In addition to donating blood on World Blood Donor Day, you can also donate plasma. The process is a bit more involved, but plasma can be even harder for hospitals and emergency rooms to get, making it incredibly important. Some, like CSL Plasma, even give you reward points when you donate that you can eventually use for a physical reward as a way of saying thank-you.
Just remember to be careful when driving your Toyota home after donating blood or plasma. Only drive if you feel steady and that it’s safe to do so. If necessary, wait a few minutes with a snack and juice before you get behind the wheel.