You can when you donate blood to the Lancaster General Blood Bank. A single donation can help save the lives of up to three people.

“It may seem like we’re always asking for people to donate blood and people may be tired of hearing it, but blood is a product that we use every day so the need is real,” says Susan Bator, MD, Medical Director of the Blood Bank.

Over the years, the number of patients at Lancaster General has increased, but the number of blood donors has not kept the same pace. Although donors give about 920 units of whole blood, platelets and plasma a month, nearly 1,100 units are needed, Dr. Bator says.

Lancaster General uses blood for various reasons, including:

• Surgery
• Trauma
• Anemia
• Oncology

Because blood cannot be manufactured or stored for long periods of time, when more blood is needed, the hospital must buy it from outside groups. Lancaster General has been trying to increase its donor base in order to minimize its reliance on other sources.

The Blood Bank rewards and honors donors for giving the gift of life. Each month the Blood Bank offers different incentives such as free T-shirts, lunch bags, movie tickets and coupons. Donors also receive recognition when they reach different giving levels.

Chuck Kurtz, a 30-gallon blood donor, encourages prospective blood donors to see what it’s all about. “Just try it,” he says. “If it’s not for you, it’s not for you. But you get such a sense of satisfaction as well as knowing that you’re doing something good to help people.”

Giving blood is also less time-consuming than people may assume. It takes less than an hour and involves four simple steps:

1. Medical history: When you donate, you will receive information to read prior to completing a health history questionnaire that a nurse will review. You will be asked about past illnesses, general health and medications.
2. Mini-physical: The nurse checks to be sure your blood pressure, temperature, pulse and hematocrit (iron) levels are acceptable.
3. Donation: Giving blood only takes 10-12 minutes. As you donate, you will rest comfortably in a reclining chair.
4. Recharge: Before you leave you will spend a few minutes relaxing and enjoying light refreshments.

Donors must be in good health and must be free of cold, sore throat, nausea, flu and active allergy symptoms for one week. Prospective donors are asked not to donate during periods of extreme stress or fatigue.

Other criteria for donation include:

• You must have eaten a meal in the past four hours.
• At least 56 days must have passed since your last whole blood donation.
• You must be at least 17 years of age. If you are over 70 years of age, you must be approved by the Blood Bank Medical Director. If you are over 75 years of age, you can only give blood in the Blood Donor room at Lancaster General Hospital.
• You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
• You cannot have a history of testing positive for AIDS or AIDS-related diseases, emphysema, heart disease or hepatitis.

Less than five percent of American adults who are eligible to give blood actually do so, says Sue Fox, Blood Donor Recruiter. One way she encourages others to donate is by helping Lancaster General partner with local churches, schools, fire and ambulance companies, volunteer organizations and businesses to host community blood drives.

If you are interested in donating blood or holding a blood drive, contact the Lancaster General Blood Bank at 544-4931. Mention that you read the article in “Generally Speaking” to receive a special “thank you” gift when you donate. You can find a complete listing of blood drives in the Community Calendar.