Feel Good, Reduce Stress by Donating Blood – Linda Goelzer.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been taxing emotionally, physically and psychologically. People young and old have felt the effects of isolation, information overload and a barrage of changes in guidance on what to do about anything and everything pertaining to health and safety. There is a way to combat the sadness, anger or stress resulting from the pandemic and its societal side effects. Do a good deed for someone.
Studies show doing something good for others makes you feel better. At Wilshire we know volunteering is a way to lift spirits and give back to the community. An easy way to volunteer one hour of time is to donate blood. Nonprofit blood center Carter BloodCare is experiencing what the industry is calling a 30-year blood shortage — unlike what anyone can recall. Patients undergoing cancer treatments, accident and trauma patients, expectant mothers with complications, children with anemia, older adults with health issues, organ transplant and surgical patients and many others need lifesaving blood transfusions at all hours of every day.
Blood is essential to medical care and it can’t be manufactured. It can only come from people who are willing to give of themselves for others. Just one pint of donated whole blood will save at least three lives. The feeling of doing something good — making a difference — can be a much-needed boost when spirits need lifting or minds need redirecting.
The Church’s quarterly blood drive is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the north parking lot of 4316 Abrams. Look for the Carter BloodCare bus. Donors can complete the medical history questionnaire online on the day of donation, before arriving to give blood. People who have had COVID-19 vaccinations are still eligible to donate blood.
Carter BloodCare staff and unvaccinated donors are required to wear facial coverings at blood drives, except when temperature is taken during screening, or when eating and drinking after the donation. Vaccinated donors are strongly encouraged to continue wearing masks.
Potential blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds can give independently and there is no upper age limit. Photo IDs are required each time you donate. To make an appointment, go to the signup page at CarterBloodCare.org
■ Wilshire member Linda Goelzer is director of public relations for Carter BloodCare.