You might not know that you can save a life in as little as an hour of your time by donating your blood. Not only that, there are personal benefits to giving blood, and the One Blood bus will be coming to Seminole State campuses soon.
One donation of blood can save up to three lives, according to the American Red Cross.
“Blood can’t be recreated; there’s no substitution for blood,” said Jorday Williams, who regularly gives blood and has worked for One Blood for eight years.
“If blood isn’t given people are dying.”
The American Red Cross recorded that in the United States nearly 21 million blood components are transfused every year, and about 6.8 million people donate blood annually.
“It’s important to give blood because it helps save lives,” said A’rianna Duval, a Criminal Justice major at Seminole State College. She has given blood once and plans on giving again. “I always wanted to do it and help someone. My friend encouraged me to do it.”
Becoming a blood donor not only helps the community, but also benefits the donors themselves.
Doing good for your community can reduce stress, provide a sense of purpose and belonging, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
When giving blood on one of the many One Blood buses, donors not only get the chance to save lives, but they also receive a free health check-up.
During this health check-up, a One Blood employee will take your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature. Once you finish giving blood, it will then be tested for diseases. One Blood notifies donors of all health-related concerns within a few weeks of the donation.
One Blood buses also offer rewards for giving blood, such as gift cards, free movie tickets, free Orlando City soccer tickets, and many more items.
Donors can also reach milestones and be rewarded by continuing to give blood.
Blood donor milestone rewards include One Blood shirts and other merchandise that can be earned by giving a gallon or more of blood over time.
“It brings it out into the community,” Williams explained. “If you see a One Blood bus at the grocery store or movie theater you’re more likely to give blood.”
Even if you can’t make it to the grocery store or movie theater, the One Blood buses are coming to two Seminole State campuses in November.
The One Blood bus will be at the Lee Campus at Oviedo Nov. 21 in the F Building parking lot. The bus will be at the Sanford/Lake Mary campus Nov. 12 in the Student Center parking lot.
