 Health & Nutrition
Thoughts on
Aging
Blood Donations
(2 minutes: 44 seconds)
 MP3 (audio
only)
Audio/Video Script:
Dr. LaVona Traywick
Assistant Professor - Gerontology
[Announcer] Welcome to Thoughts on Aging with Dr. LaVona Traywick,
Assistant Professor of Gerontology with the University of Arkansas Division of
Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.
[Dr. LaVona Traywick] Many people don't like to see or think about blood. But
blood plays a very important role in the human body. Blood is pumped throughout
the body by the heart so that it can bring oxygen and nutrients to tissues in
the body, as well as carry away waste material, such as carbon dioxide and
lactic acid. Generally, women have approximately 10 pints and men have about 12
pints of blood. The most common blood type in the United States is Type O
positive followed by Type A positive.
Many people believe that it is their right to receive blood in the case of an
emergency or illness. But if healthy people are not willing to donate blood to
maintain the supply, some areas of the country are at increased risk for running
out. In order to meet patient needs, the Red Cross estimates that they need to
collect over six million blood donations each year. The Red Cross is the largest
supplier of blood and blood products. The Red Cross serves more than 3,000
hospitals nationally and also assists victims of international disasters and
conflicts at locations worldwide.
To give blood to the Red Cross, a person must be over the age of 17, and
weigh over 110 pounds. People can donate every eight weeks. With every visit,
you will be asked a series of questions about your health and lifestyle habits.
The Red Cross requires healthy donors and the screening process just so they can
ensure that the blood supply is as safe as possible.
While you will not receive a monetary compensation for giving blood, your
effort does not go unrewarded. By giving blood, you help to save lives.
According to the National Blood Data Resource Center, approximately eight
million volunteer blood donors provide blood for about 4.5 million patients per
year.
If you are interested in finding out more about blood donation, contact your
local Red Cross or the County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agent.
[Announcer] Thank you for listening to Thoughts on Aging with Dr. LaVona
Traywick. To learn more about this and other topics, contact your local county
Cooperative
Extension Service office.
Resource:
Red Cross and National Blood Data Resource Center
Back to Thoughts on Aging
|
