American Red Cross Blood Donation: Why It Matters

Introduction

The American Red Cross is an organization that plays a crucial role in the health care system of the United States. This is primarily because the organization is the largest single supplier of blood and associated products in the country. The American Red Cross collects and processes over 40% of America's blood supply and distributes blood to nearly 3,000 healthcare facilities and transfusion centers across the country. In addition, the organization plays a major role in safeguarding the safety of blood donors and patients, as well as increasing the accessibility and availability of blood and blood products.

Notably, the American Red Cross depends on ordinary individuals and citizens to donate blood, as well as give their time, expertise, and finances toward the collection and distribution of blood and blood products. While there is no need for a special reason to donate blood, doing so helps change a life because of the constant need for blood and blood products among patients.

Background and History of the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has continued to play a major role in the country's health care system since the Second World War, when the nation was in need of a large supply of lifesaving blood ("About Us," par. 2). The wartime need for blood on a massive scale contributed to the development of this organization, which collected approximately 13.3 million pints of blood plasma for use by American soldiers. Upon the completion of World War II, the American Red Cross launched the first nationwide civilian blood campaign and program. Since then, the organization has collected about 6.5 million units of blood annually from nearly 4 million donors. In addition, the Red Cross distributes over 9 million blood products to healthcare facilities and transfusion centers for transfusion.

The organization has grown to become the single largest provider of blood in the United States while also serving as a leader in research and testing to safeguard the safety of the blood supply. The American Red Cross was the first organization to create and execute testing procedures for infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C, and HIV. Apart from performing these functions, the organization operates a unique nationwide hemovigilance program to evaluate the adverse reactions of donors and patients. The data generated from this program is used to improve the quality and safety of blood and blood products.

Another important function of the American Red Cross is its significant role in shaping policies and standards for the blood banking industry through the involvement of its experts. These experts help ensure the organization provides important data and competence that influences the direction of the blood banking sector.

With regard to ensuring an adequate blood supply, the American Red Cross continues to work toward increasing the availability of blood and blood products. This process includes creating awareness among prospective donors regarding healthy habits that will lessen deferrals and enhance the yield from platelet donors. As an important part of the United States' blood supply infrastructure, the American Red Cross prioritizes the diverse recruitment of blood donors, coupled with several initiatives to increase the number of donors across communities and raise awareness of the need for blood donation.

Why Donate Blood?

Blood donation is, in essence, a gift of life that a healthy person can give to sick or injured individuals in the community. Blood is one of the most precious gifts one person can give another, since it directly contributes to saving a life. Even when your blood is divided into its components — platelets, red cells, and plasma — each component can be used individually for patients with particular conditions ("Why Should I Donate Blood?" par. 4). Therefore, blood donation contributes to a safe and healthy blood supply that improves health and saves lives.

Blood donation is critical because blood transfusion is required for a wide range of medical situations, including complications during pregnancy such as hemorrhage and ectopic pregnancies, severe trauma after accidents, severe anemia in children, and treatment for cancer and surgical patients. Regular transfusions are also necessary for individuals with chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia. These examples demonstrate that there is a constant need for a regular blood supply, since blood and blood products can only be stored for a limited period of time. By donating blood, individuals not only contribute to a healthy and safe blood supply but also directly help in saving lives.

Conclusion

The American Red Cross has continued to play an important role in the health care system of the United States because of its commitment to ensuring the availability and accessibility of a healthy and safe blood supply. However, the organization depends on blood donors and volunteers to achieve its goals and contribute toward saving lives. It is therefore important for individuals to support this mission by donating blood. Blood donation is service to humanity — an opportunity to give the most precious gift that can save a life, and one that costs the donor nothing to provide.