Our New Year’s resolutions: exercise more, spend less on coffee, and save lives.
That third resolution? Not a joke, and easier than you may think. DYK that one blood donation has the power to save up to three local lives? It’s quick + easy, and you can donate every 56 days. That’s six times a year, a.k.a 18 potential lives saved.
Giving blood is especially impactful in January — National Blood Donor Month — when winter weather + seasonal illnesses often make it difficult to maintain a sufficient blood supply. And this year, COVID-19 has made it increasingly difficult due to blood drive cancellations, fear of donating in a pandemic, and shutdowns in certain areas.
Charleston’s The Blood Connection (TBC) donation center, located at 5870 Core Rd. , provides much-needed blood for local hospitals like Roper St. Francis Healthcare, McLeod Health, MUSC Health, Trident Medical Center + Summerville Medical Center, meaning your donation could *literally* save your neighbor.
In fact, The Blood Connection sent Roper St. Francis Healthcare hospitals ~2,600 units of blood products this year. That means 2,600 people in the community gave blood that could be used for surgeries, trauma care, COVID-19 treatment, blood disorders and cancer treatment for Roper St. Francis patients.
MIni-physical before donation at The Blood Connection | Photo by the CHStoday team
Here’s how you can make an impact during #NationalBloodDonorMonth:
- Schedule an appointment at TBC’s Charleston donation center . It’s simple, and TBC is open every day – including weekends. Plus, the experience can be downright relaxing. Bonus: Free snacks. 😉
- Stop by an upcoming mobile blood drive in the area.
- You can donate more than blood, too — platelet donations (typically used for cancer patients) + convalescent plasma donations (which help those battling COVID-19) are also in high demand.
Click here or below to learn more about Charleston’s TBC center + schedule your appointment. 🩸 Ⓟ