Donated blood is saving lives on a daily basis, but hospitals are currently experiencing a shortage.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The United States is currently experiencing the worst blood shortage in 20 years, according to Blood Centers of America.
It takes less than an hour to donate blood, and each singular donation has the potential to save three lives. An estimated 2% of Alaskans donate blood every year, but one in every seven patients in local hospitals need blood - and one in three Alaskans will need blood during their lifetime. Blood Bank of America says their most critical current needs are for types O+ and O- blood in addition to platelets.
However, because blood and platelet donations expire after a short period of time, and cannot be kept fresh by external means, the need for new donations is constant.ranging from pregnancy to heart disease and asthma to your current prescription medication. After exposure to diseases such as Malaria and Zika virus you will need to wait up to several years before you will again be eligible to donate.
One reason for the current shortage of donors, Blood Centers of America says, may be simply the fear of needles. One in every four adults in America professes they are afraid of needles; gaining further knowledge of the process, as well as sufficient distraction, may help ease that anxiety.
Donation Give Blood Shortage Blood Bank American Red Cross O Positive O Negative Blood Type Hospital Plasma
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