Most hospitals in Ventura County have one thing in common, they receive blood from Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services. Who donates this much needed blood? Citizens of Ventura County just like you, who have realized the importance of keeping a healthy blood supply in our community. Ready at a moment’s notice, many units of blood are used for emergency situations, but what many people don’t realize is there are units that are transfused to local patients on a daily basis.
Each year, during the holiday season, Vitalant experiences the “perfect storm” where the blood supply declines, but holiday usage increases.
Here are 5 reasons why your holiday blood donation is so important and impactful:
1) It’s cold and flu season. When blood donors get sick, they are unable to donate, leaving a gap in regular donations. During this time of year, anyone who is healthy and is able to donate is needed to help make up for those who are under the weather.
2) So many of us are really busy with travel and holiday plans and regular blood donations get put on the back burner. The blood supply is especially reliant on new donors and those who donate only a couple of times a year to help see it through the holiday slump.
3) Inclement weather. It really is mostly gorgeous here in Ventura County, but when it rains, it tends to change the number of donors we get through the doors this time of year.
4) Local colleges take a break. When Ventura County’s collegiate population decreases, so does the blood supply. Colleges have traditionally been a reliable source for volunteer blood donors, and their absence is truly felt.
5) Traffic. Increased traffic, the hustle and bustle of the holidays can trigger more trauma situations where the number of mass transfusions increases. The blood supply, must always be at ample levels to handle these types of situations, it’s the blood on hospital shelves that saves lives, and during the holidays, keeping those shelves full can be a challenge.
There is no substitute for human blood, and each unit that’s transfused has an awesome blood donor behind it. Imagine waking up to a text saying your blood is on its way to the hospital to be transfused to a patient. What a feeling of awe to be able to participate in transforming another human life.
Give blood Dec. 17 – Jan. 2 in Ventura at 2223 Eastman Ave, STE A and receive a $20 movie certificate through Vitalant’s Donor Rewards Store. Potential donors can search for a convenient blood drive at www.vitalant.org or call 1.805.543.4290. Walk-ins are welcome.
