Early and Often: Blood Donors Needed!

If you can donate blood, please do it ASAP!

I have donated frequently over the years, but last year was the first time I made a concerted effort to donate every eight weeks. My next donation is Monday afternoon. See the news release below, from Heartland Blood Centers.

To find a donor center or blood drive near you, visit Heartland's web site or call 1-800-7TO-GIVE.

Swine Flu Affects Local Blood Supply: Your Help is Needed Now!

AURORA, IL. - As potential cases of swine flu reach the Chicagoland area, schools and public facilities will continue to take precautionary actions and close until any suspected cases can be confirmed. Blood drives scheduled to be held at these locations will likewise be cancelled. Case in point, yesterday a blood drive scheduled for a school in Kane County which closed while confirmatory tests are performed, was cancelled. As the prospect for additional closings is likely, officials at Heartland Blood Centers are concerned about the impact on the blood supply.

"It is even more important today for all healthy, eligible blood donors to step forward and donate blood", said Dominique Bazile, M.D., Medical Director for Heartland Blood Centers. "Heartland Blood Centers must be ready to respond to all routine and emergent blood product requests."

In recent weeks, inventory levels of O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative blood types have begun to drop nationwide. Heartland Blood Centers has seen similar patterns in their blood collections. "As the summer months are fast-approaching, we ask everyone to make a renewed commitment to donating blood for others less fortunate", said Ann McKanna, Vice President, Marketing and New Business Development with Heartland Blood Centers. "The gift you will have given patients in need through your blood donation is immeasurable for those whose lives depend on your kindness."

While the four types listed above are in the greatest demand, blood donors of all types are asked to give as soon as possible. To find a donor center or blood drive near you, visit www.heartlandbc.org or call 1-800-7TO-GIVE.

Based on current knowledge and added safety precautions, donors with fever, cough, and/or respiratory infection are deferred. Donors reporting confirmed, probable or suspect swine flu influenza will be deferred for a period of at least 7 days from the onset of symptoms and must be symptom-free upon completion of treatment. Until further guidance is provided by the agencies governing the blood center, donors who have traveled to areas identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as affected by swine influenza (including the entire country of Mexico) will be deferred from blood donation for 7 days following their departure from the affected areas.

As always, to be a blood donor, individuals must be at least 17 years of age, or 16 with written permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom-free of cold, flu and allergies; and be in general good health. Donors who have traveled outside the U.S. within the past 12 months should contact Heartland at 1-800-7TO-GIVE to determine eligibility.