Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been observed in January to not only honor blood and platelet donors, but also to help increase donations during the winter months.
Blood is traditionally in short supply during the winter months due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness. January, in particular, is a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations. A reduction in turnout can put our nation's blood inventory at a critical low. As nurses, we see the life-saving effects of blood or blood products for critically ill patients.
As one blood donor said,
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It only takes once sitting in a hospital, praying that your loved one will live through the day, to know how thankful you are for every single thing done to help them," she said. "Donating blood is a simple gift that I can make that may help up to three people live another day. That makes me feel like a hero.
Stop and take one to two hours out of your life to donate blood. Be a hero and give the gift of life today.
Specializes in Blood Center Collections, Quality and Regulatory A.
Don't let one experience deter you from donating. Good for you to insist changing gloves. That phlebotomist probably broke all kinds of other regulations!! Pick another blood center, please.
Specializes in Blood Center Collections, Quality and Regulatory A.
A blood center is a great low stress job for an RN. I've been a blood center nurse for 8 years now. Imagine healthy people who want to be there, get angry if you don't stick them in the arm with a sharp needle. No heavy lifting, nice people, opportunities to stand around and chat! It's been great for me!!
CBlover, BSN, RN
419 Posts
Yea girl! I just had my first baby 10 weeks ago and boy howdy...THAT is pain.