BLOOD FOR LIFE PROGRAM
Deenah A. Levine , Blood Drive Chairperson

The FCCA has been sponsoring blood drives since 1985, in which two courts participated with 39 pints of blood donated. Since then, the program has grown to over 30 courts donating approximately 1,500 pints of blood and platelets in a year. This is quite an achievement over the past twenty years.

Below are some facts about blood donations provided by the American Red Cross:

• In the United States, a transfusion is needed about every two seconds.
• Donated blood expires after 42 days.
• On any given day, an average of 38,000 units of red blood cells are needed for patients in the U.S.
• Blood transfusions are often needed for trauma victims, heart surgery, organ transplants, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, sickle-cell anemia and other diseases.
• About 6.5 million people just like you made blood donations last year.
• Most healthy people who are 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds are eligible to give blood.
• There is an eight-week (56 day) wait between donations.
• It is advisable to eat a low-fat, well-balanced meal within four hours before giving blood, and drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of donation.
• Allow for an hour and fifteen minutes for the entire process, including health history, donation and refreshments.
  There is no substitute for blood.
• Every blood donation can help save as many as three lives – because your blood is separated into three component parts, ready for patients who need red blood cells, platelets or plasma.
• Nearly half of us will need a blood transfusion in our lifetime, so you’re making a contribution that could help your family, neighbors, or co-workers.
• If every donor gave just one more unit of blood a year, there would be no blood shortages.

So, the next time there is a blood drive in your court or your neighborhood, please stop in and give a pint.