Blood donations decline during holiday season

Merced’s local blood banks are reminding the public that during this season of giving, there is no better gesture than helping save lives by donating blood.

The holiday season, however, is not the most popular time of the year for blood centers.

Jaime Suarez, an account manager at the Blood Source office in Merced, said a decline in donations during winter months is typical. He believes this is due to a combination of the flu season and the holidays. “(Donating blood) is the last thing on people’s minds during this time of year,” he said.

Suarez explained that about 48 percent of the center’s donations come from high school and college students. During winter break, these donors are not available.

A similar decline is experienced during the summer months when students go on summer vacation.

Blood is like other perishables; it expires, Suarez said. For example, blood only lasts 42 days on shelves, and platelet donations can only be stored for five days.

“We can’t just bank it,” he said. “And just because it’s the holiday season, it doesn’t mean that need and usage slow down.”

In Merced County, Blood Source collects approximately 30 donations a day. However, donations slow down and this number drops from November through January, Suarez said.

In its Northern California service area, which extends from Merced County to the Oregon border and from Santa Rosa to the Tahoe area, the Blood Source centers collect about 750 donations per day.

“We are one of the few (service areas) that can help other centers in the state and the country,” Suarez said. “We always take care of our hospitals first, and if we have extra, we help centers in other places.”

According to the American Red Cross, blood donors must be in good health and feeling well, they must weigh at least 110 pounds and must be at least 17 years old. Sixteen-year-olds may donate with parental consent.

In general, the entire donation process takes about one hour to complete.

The drawing of blood for 1 pint takes anywhere from five to 10 minutes. The rest of the hour is spent in a registration-and-interviewing procedure. “We always say that one hour can save three lives,” Suarez said.

January has been designated as National Blood Donor Month. This is to create awareness that winter months are the hardest times to collect donations.

Suarez recommends that interested donors make appointments. Recent travel and medication history can sometimes prevent people from donating, but the best thing to do is speak to a nurse at the donation centers.

Merced’s Blood Source office is at 382 E. Yosemite Ave. For appointments or questions, call (209) 724-0428.

This story was originally published December 15, 2014 at 4:22 PM with the headline "Blood donations decline during holiday season."