Today, I went to the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center and donated platelets for cancer patients at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I made a promise to myself that starting on my 29th birthday (May 10th) of this year I will start the end of my 20s on a high note and I will donate blood for cancer patients and donate it until I will not be able to any longer.
(The picture above was taken this year in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women’s Hospital Blood Mobile on my 29th birthday, May 10th, 2014).
(The above picture was taken at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital on December 22, 2014).
About Blood Donation at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital
People undergoing treatment for cancer — as well as accident victims, transplant recipients, and many other patients — depend on transfusions to control their bleeding. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for these patients.
When you donate whole blood or platelets at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, or give blood onboard the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women’s Hospital Blood Mobile — the traveling extension of the Kraft Center — you are making a life-saving difference for patients in need, right here in the community.
Being able to count on volunteer blood donors at all times is especially important because blood has a limited shelf life. Volunteer donors ensure that there will be a sufficient supply of blood for the patients who need it, whenever they need it.
Blood donations benefiting Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s patients are collected in two locations:
At the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, located on the first floor of the Jimmy Fund Building at 35 Binney Street in Boston.
At blood drives hosting the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Blood Mobile, which travels to community organizations, businesses, and schools throughout greater Boston.
In general, to donate blood, you should be:
At least 17 years old
110 pounds or heavier
In good health
And you should not:
Be pregnant or trying to become pregnant
Have had a tattoo within the past 12 months
Have had a dental procedure, including a routine cleaning, within 48 hours of donating
Have traveled to a malaria-risk country
Have felt sick within 72 of your donation appointment
About Platelet Donation
Platelets are the blood component serving as the body’s “bandages.” They allow blood to clot, helping wounds to heal.
Cancer patients, people who have sustained trauma, babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, and many other critically ill patients are at serious risk because their blood does not clot properly. They need transfusions of healthy platelets to control their bleeding. Volunteer donors are the only source of platelets for these patients.
Being able to count on volunteer platelet donors at all times is especially important because platelets have a shelf life of just five days. Volunteer donors ensure that there will always be a sufficient supply of platelets for patients in need.
Platelets benefiting patients at both Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s are collected at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, located on the first floor of the Jimmy Fund Building at 35 Binney Street in Boston.
In general, to donate platelets, you should be:
At least 17 years old
110 pounds or heavier
In good health
And you should not:
Have had a dental procedure, including a routine cleaning, within 48 hours of donating
Have taken any antibiotics within 72 hours of donating
Have taken any aspirin, or drugs containing aspirin (such as Anacin, Excedrin, or Feldene), within 48 hours of donating
Have taken any Aleve, ibuprofen, or drugs containing ibuprofen (such as Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), within 24 hours of donating
Have felt sick within 72 hours of donating
For more information on how to donate, hours, locations, and FAQs about donating visit this website.
I hope you will consider becoming a donor.