Donating Blood Can Make A Huge Difference In A Person’s Life
Last month, the Coastal Bend Blood Center held a fundraising event which is its annual “Run for Blood 5k Run/Walk”. Although this was a fundraiser, the Center is always available and welcomes blood donations throughout the year. In addition, they do have many other planned events that they organize such as this one that works to try and help raise awareness about this important cause. It is too often that many of these great initiatives are over looked and/or misunderstood. To put things in perspective, about every two seconds, there is a person somewhere that is in need of blood. Additionally, around 72% of the public underestimate their need for blood. It is estimated that 85% of people in the United States, will need blood during their lifetime.
I hope that we can continue to find ways of bringing awareness to many great organizations in our area such as the Coastal Bend Blood Center that help Coastal Bend residents as well as everyone. By bringing awareness to this issue, we can help create awareness as well as work to find new tools to help both advance and increase blood donations. It is surprising to note, but statistically speaking, almost an overwhelming majority of us will at some point need blood during our lives. We all can truly benefit from these types of worthwhile organizations by doing our part to raise awareness and try and participate by donating blood.
According to the Coastal Bend Blood Center’s website, here are a few key things to know about donating blood:
#1. REGISTER. Your name, address and a photo ID (such as your driver’s license) are required.
#2. QUALIFY. You will be asked questions about your health, including medical history, current medications and recent surgeries. These questions ensure you are healthy enough to give blood and that your blood will be safe to give to patients who need it. Next, a phlebotomist will check your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and iron level, which requires a quick finger stick.
#3. DONATE. Another phlebotomist will then draw your blood. Brand new, sterile supplies are used for each donation. The actual blood draw takes less than ten minutes. Except for a small needle stick at the start, the process is painless. Once the draw is complete, the needle will be removed and you will be asked to apply pressure to the area and raise your arm for a few minutes. Most donors feel fine after giving blood.
#4. RELAX. The Coastal Bend Blood Center provides water, juice and cookies, and ask that you relax a few minutes before leaving. Take a little time to read the post-donation instructions; they were written with your health and safety in mind.
You can find more information about ways to help by donating blood as well as gain additional information by visiting the Coastal Bend Blood Center.
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If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
