Dec. 13, 2023
This holiday season, consider giving the gift of life by donating blood. When you donate blood through the Lee Health Blood Center, your donation stays in Lee County to benefit our neighbors and visitors in need.
Blood donation helps save lives because there is no substitute, no substance that can heal the way blood does. Whole blood donations are processed into blood components, like plasma and red blood cells, which can be used to help treat cancer, anemia and leukemia or can be used to help people undergoing surgery for illness or injury.
Throughout Lee Health, our adult and pediatric patients use approximately 800 units of blood each week. Our Blood Centers are always in need of O-negative—the universal blood type—and O-positive blood because it can be transfused to any positive blood type (A-positive, B-positive, AB-positive and other O-positives).
Blood has a relatively short shelf life, so we need to replenish it often, which we do through our Blood Centers and blood drives that are held throughout our community. We have three blood mobiles that travel to high schools, churches, retirement facilities and other locations throughout Lee County to help ensure our blood supply remains at a healthy level.
Donating blood is safe and easy. Before donating blood, the technician checks your pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and hemoglobin. Upon successful donation, you will also receive your cholesterol level and blood type. Donating blood allows your body to replenish its supply and helps the body function more efficiently. Most people can donate every 56 days.
We know the holiday season is busy! The entire blood donation process takes about 45 minutes, including the mini-physical and simple medical history questionnaire, but the actual donation takes less than 15 minutes. All those who donate this month will receive a limited edition long-sleeve T-shirt, in addition to the wellness checkup.
If you are interested in donating blood, visit www.LeeHealth.org/our-services/blood-centers/blood-donations for more information, including donor requirements, Blood Center locations, hours of operation, local blood drives and more.