Donor celebrates 50 years of donation at DeGowin Blood Center
Winter can be a slow time for blood donations at the University of Iowa Health Care DeGowin Blood Center. Things like bad weather or sickness may prevent someone from donating blood. Unfortunately, patients don’t get a break from needing blood, something Coralville resident Ray Haas realized 50 years ago.
“In August 1974 my four-year-old brother became an amputee,” says Haas. “After he received two units of blood a nurse asked whether any family members would consider donating to replenish the hospital’s blood supply. I said yes and have donated 357 times since then.”
Haas, who’s received honors at both the local and state level for this volunteerism, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his blood donation journey at a DeGowin Blood Center event on Dec. 16th. He hopes his story and passion for donating blood will inspire others during a time of year when the flow of blood donations slow.
“It’s typical for the need for blood to increase during the holidays. However, throughout this year, we’ve seen a trend of less people donating,” says Kerry DuBay, MBA, a donor center supervisor with DeGowin. “It’s really important that, as a community, we continue to keep our blood supply stable. All blood donations given with DeGowin go to patients within UI Health Care.”
Donations of both whole blood and platelets are needed, and in particular, donations of group O whole blood. Experts say each pint of blood donated benefits two patients. One pint of blood is separated into two life-saving products—red blood cells and plasma.
Every year the DeGowin Blood Center provides more than 27,000 blood products to patients within UI Health Care.
Blood products cannot be artificially made, so the center relies on the generosity of donors for both whole blood and platelets. All kinds of patients benefit from blood and platelet donations, including trauma patients, cancer patients, patients undergoing organ and marrow transplants, patients having heart surgery, those who experience postpartum hemorrhage, and patients with inherited blood disorders.
- 1 in 7 people entering the hospital needs blood.
- Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
- 1 donated pint of blood can save 2 lives after being separated into 2 products: red blood cells and plasma.
- Red blood cells can be stored for only 42 days.
- Platelets must be used within just 7 days.
- Less than 10% of eligible donors donate blood each year.
- A donation of whole blood takes less than 1 hour.
How to become a blood donor
Making a donation of whole blood is easy: Show up, pass a mini-physical and health screening, donate and then enjoy post donation snacks. Whole blood donations typically take between 45 minutes to an hour. Donors may also choose to donate platelets instead of whole blood. That donation process takes about two hours. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance, but walk-in donations will be accepted as staffing allows.
Donors need to be 17 years of age or older or 16 with a signed parent/guardian consent form. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be free of cold or flu symptoms for five days leading up to their donation. Donors need to bring a photo ID, a list of medications they take and places and dates they have traveled outside the U.S. within the last 3 years.
The DeGowin Blood Center is open Monday through Friday, with variable hours between 7 am and 7:30 pm, for donations, and donors get free parking during their visit. The blood center also hosts a variety of blood drives throughout the community.
