April is Minority Health Awareness Month
Building a diverse blood supply is critical to meeting the medical needs of an increasingly diverse U.S. population. Donating blood during Minority Health Awareness Month this April is one way to help.
“Encouraging people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to become blood donors is increasingly important in addressing the unique health concerns of different populations,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Everyone, regardless of their background, may depend on blood for a medical emergency.”
Recent health data from the U.S. Office of Minority Health reveals that the rates of cancer and heart disease are higher among African Americans and Hispanics than other populations. Treatment for both these health concerns can involve the use of blood products.
While blood transfusions are typically based on basic blood groups like A, B, AB and O, medical teams may also consider ethnicity when prescribing blood products. Certain rare blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups, and the possibility of transfusion reactions decrease when donors and recipients share similar characteristics.
That’s why, Red Cross officials say, it’s important to build diversity among blood donors. For instance, in the Red Cross coverage area of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, Caucasians comprise 84 percent of blood donors, while African Americans and Hispanics constitute just 6 percent. And although the majority of blood donors are Caucasian, the U.S. Census reports that more than 40 percent of the U.S. population isn’t.
“Our goal is to have a safe, ample and diverse blood supply so patients and their families have one less worry and can fully focus on getting well,” said Whitman. “We can do that best when people of all backgrounds step forward to give the gift of life.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Saturday, April 16, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Culver’s, located at 6139 U.S. Highway 6 in Portage. Come to donate and receive a coupon for one pint of Culver's Frozen Custard.
- Wednesday, April 20, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at First Christian Church in the Fellowship Hall, located at 1507 Glendale Blvd. in Valparaiso.
- Thursday, April 21, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Morgan Township High School, located at 299 South SR 49 in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a Culver's Frozen Custard coupon good for one pint of frozen custard at the Valparaiso Culver’s. Please email leslie.lisowski@epcsc.k12.in.us to schedule your blood donation appointment.
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Friday, April 22, from noon until 6 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in the gymnasium, located at 638 N. Calumet Ave. in Chesterton.
- Tuesday, April 26, from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Wheeler High School in the gymnasium, located at 587 West 300 North in Valparaiso. Come to donate and receive a t-shirt.
- Wednesday, April 27, from 2 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Valparaiso University School of Law, located at 656 Greenwich St. in Valparaiso. Come to donate and be entered into a drawing for a $50 gasoline gift card. Please go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “vulaw” to schedule your blood donation appointment.
- Friday, April 29, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Hopewell Mennonite Church in the Meeting Hall, located on SR 49 in Kouts.
- Friday, April 29, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Boone Grove Elementary School in the gymnasium, located at 325 West 550 South in Boone Grove. This is a Pint Size Heroes blood drive.
- Friday, April 29, from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the YMCA of Portage, located at 3100 Willowcreek Road in Portage. Please email ryan@ymcaofportage.org to schedule your blood donation appointment.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.