Newtown VNA Launches Drive To Increase Blood Donations

By Kaaren Valenta

Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. About 38,000 units of blood are needed in this country every day for hospital patients.

The supply often does not cover the need.

“People take the supply for granted,” said Brenda Wagner of the American Red Cross Connecticut Region Blood Services. “We are at a time of year when we are down to blood needed for transfusions only. We can’t send blood to the hospitals until a doctor says ‘I need it immediately.’ Emergency rooms can’t have a supply on hand.”

In Connecticut, about 600 units of blood are needed each weekday to satisfy the needs of cancer patients, accident victims, sickle cell patients, and other patients at the state’s 31 urgent care hospitals.

“Only four percent of the population donates blood, yet a person needs a transfusion every four seconds,” Ms Wagner said. “We do not have an artificial blood supply yet. We need more donors.”

The Newtown Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) recently made it a mission to help recruit more donors in Newtown. The next blood drive will be held from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm on Monday, March 14, in the undercroft at Trinity Church on Main Street.

 “The VNA has a professional and responsible role in the community for promoting wellness and health,” said VNA member Ann Marie Mitchell, who has a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “Besides sponsoring eye screenings, blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings and other projects, we want to promote blood donations.”

While Ms Mitchell talks about the need for blood in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and delivery rooms, Pam Gage, an advanced practice registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing, says she sees patients who need transfusions on a regular basis to stay alive. A Newtown resident, Ms Gage works in a final-stage renal clinic.

“There are patients like a 24-year-old who is dying but cannot have a kidney transplant because she also has Lupus [an autoimmune disorder],” she said. “Despite their conditions, these patients are so very brave and uncomplaining.”

“Everyone — children to very old people — can need blood,” Ms Mitchell said. “Don’t self-decide if you are eligible to give blood. Please sign up.”

Donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days.

“We have a goal of 150 productive units at the next blood drive,” Ms Wagner said. “Typically we get 100. We need 200 appointments because some people get sick or have last-minute emergencies and have to cancel.

“So we really are looking for what is a very small percentage of the town’s residents to step up to the plate,” she said.

Anyone who is 17 or older, weighs at least 110 pounds, and is in generally good health probably is eligible to donate blood. Call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) to make an appointment for any blood drive in Connecticut.

Donors also can request an appointment by visiting the website www.bloodCT.org. Positive ID is required at the time of the blood donation.