Healthy Living Tips from
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | January 2022
HEALTH TIP : Donate Blood , Give the Gift of Life
The country is currently facing a critical shortage of blood , and hospitals , like Deborah Heart and Lung Center , are urging folks to step up and donate .
“ As a cardiac surgical hospital , blood transfusions are a routine part of our procedures ,” says pathologist Betsy Schloo , MD , Vice President , Medical Affairs at Deborah Heart and Lung Center . “ Blood transfusions are critical to surgical success , and can often mean the difference between life and death .”
COVID-19 Severely Impacting Donations
Dr . Schloo , who has spearheaded blood collection drives with the American Red Cross at Deborah for many years , says she has never seen the available supply of blood and platelets so low .
“ With lifesaving blood donation essential for our patients , especially those in need of emergency medical care , we depend on the blood bank . We are now experiencing one of the most severe shortages of blood and platelets that I have ever experienced in my professional career .”
Dr . Schloo notes that blood donations dropped dramatically during COVID-19 . “ People were afraid to come out and give blood . A sustained drop in donations for months has now resulted in this national emergency we are facing . The blood bank is still distributing , but that distribution is outpacing its collections .”
It is a shortage that is always lurking in the background for Deborah ’ s cardiac surgeons .
“ I hope that there is never a day that I call for a pint of blood and we are on empty ,” says cardiothoracic surgeon Paul Burns , MD , Chair of Deborah ’ s Surgery Department . “ There are many factors that play into successful surgeries , and a steady supply of blood is one of them . If we ever ran into a situation where there was no blood left , I know it would directly affect our patients .”
Today ’ s Donation Pays It Forward
Dr . Schloo urges everyone who is eligible to donate blood . “ We are always most in need of O negative and O positive ,” she said “ as well as platelets . It is easy to give blood , and there is no waiting period after receiving a COVID vaccination .”
“ Remember if you give blood today , you may be helping yourself or a family member in the future . You never know when an emergency will strike .”
To donate blood , or find out more information , call 1-800-733-2767 or visit https :// www . redcrossblood . org / give . html
For more information , visit www . DemandDeborah . org or call 855-646-3484 .
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