Posts Tagged ‘American Red Cross’

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day!

This year’s slogan is: “Give blood and keep the world beating.”

Did you know the World Health Organization (WHO) dedicates June 14 as the World Blood Donor Day? This day is dedicated to increasing awareness of the need for blood throughout the world and to make sure it is obtained properly and safely from individuals.

Blood transfusions are needed to save lives and are needed in every country. Everyone who can donate blood should do so to help those who are in need. You could save someone’s life!

The specific objectives of this year’s campaign are to:

• Thank blood donors in the world and create wider public awareness of the need for regular, unpaid blood donation.

• Promote the community values of blood donation in enhancing community solidarity and social cohesion.

• Encourage youth to embrace the humanitarian call to donate blood and inspire others to do the same.

• Celebrate the potential of youth as partners in promoting health.

Do you know the different blood types?

There are four primary blood types that exist. The types are:

• O
• A
• B
• AB

Blood type is passed down from your parents and is determined by genetics.

Blood type determines what antigens are present on your red blood cells. If someone is Type A, they have the A-antigen present. This person would also produce antibodies for the B-antigen. These antibodies would “attack” any red blood cells that present with this antigen, which is why it is super important that a person receiving blood is matched with the correct blood type.

There is also another factor that determines blood type, called the Rh factor. The Rh factor determines why some people are denoted as either + or – after their blood type. Rh factor is similar to blood types and if someone is positive, that means they have the Rh antigen present on their cells.

Universal donors are O negative. Universal acceptors are AB positive.

Blood type is almost evenly spread across all races around the world. AB- blood type is the rarest blood type and it is especially important for people who are AB- to donate blood when they can!

Donating blood is a simple process.

In the US, there are certain guidelines on who can donate blood and when:

• Must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent)

• Must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health

• Must wait at least eight weeks from last donation

Certain disease states and criteria can exclude people from donating blood, such as:

• Fever

• Taking blood thinner (other than Aspirin)

• HIV/AIDS

• Men who have sex with men (must be three months at least since last intercourse)

• Certain medications

Even if you can’t donate blood but still want to help out, there are many ways people can, such as volunteering at a donation drive.

Go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/ for more information and where you can sign up!

References:

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-types.html

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/06/14/default-calendar/world-blood-donor-day-2021

Pictures:

https://www.orthoclinicaldiagnostics.com/global/covid19/home/three-things-to-know-about-the-association-between-blood-type-and-covid-19

https://www.india.com/festivals-events/world-blood-donor-day-2020-know-all-about-the-day-and-why-it-is-important-4053098/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness month. We all love our furry friends, but do we know how to take care of them in case of an emergency? We may not want to think about something bad happening to our pets, but, in case something does, it is important to be prepared.

Here are some tips and tricks that can be used when caring for your pet during an emergency.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has a great app on Google play and Apple app stores that can be easily downloaded onto your smart phone for free. The app contains a section for dogs and a section for cats. The app includes important information and various videos for you to learn how to handle emergencies. The app also contains an emergency tab where you can preload your veterinarian’s phone number so you can call at the click of a button. You can even upload your pet’s medical records onto the app. Check out the app here:

• Google play:
  • https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cube.arc.pfa&hl=en
• Apple app store:
  • https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pet-first-aid-by-american/id780415389?mt=8

Supplies for a Pet First Aid Kit

Having a pet first aid kit together and ready to use in case of an emergency is a good way to be prepared. Some basic supplies that can be included in a kit are listed below.

• Phone numbers for your veterinarian and animal poison control center (888-426-4435)
• Gauze, nonstick bandages, adhesive tape and towels – to wrap and protect wounds
• Milk of magnesia – to absorb poison (always call your vet or animal poison control before treating your pet)
• Hydrogen peroxide 3% – to induce vomiting
• Digital “fever” thermometer – must take temperature rectally
• Eye droppers or large syringe – to give oral treatments or flush wounds

Pet CPR

Knowing basic CPR for your pet is also very important and can help save your pet’s life in times of an emergency. Before you start giving your pet CPR you need to follow the ABCs:

• A: airway
  • Check your pet’s airway. Lay them on their side. Tilt their head back and pull their tongue out. Use your finger to check for any foreign objects.
• B: breathing
  • If your pet is not breathing, begin rescue breathing. To do this, gently close the pet’s mouth and extend the neck to open the airway. Then cover the nose with your mouth and exhale until you see the animal’s chest rise. Give the breath over one second.
• C: check circulation
  • Check your pet for a heart beat. If there is no heart beat, chest compression should be started.

There are different ways to do chest compression on an animal since there are many types of animals. In order to preform CPR properly on your pet, look over the procedure for your type of pet. This information can be found on the app from the American Red Cross mentioned above.

The best thing to do for your pet is to be prepared for an emergency. If you prepare beforehand, you will have a better chance of doing the right thing for your pet and possibly saving their life.

Remember, April is National Pet First Aid Awareness month, so make sure you do what you can to protect your furry friends.

Sources:

1. Pet first aid supplies checklist. Avmaorg. 2016. Available at: https://www.avma.org/public/EmergencyCare/Pages/Supplies-Checklist.aspx.
2. Pet Disaster Preparedness | Animals, Dogs, Cats | American Red Cross. American Red Cross. 2016. Available at: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/pet-safety.

On Wednesday, March 18 from 6-8 pm join the American Red Cross of Madison and Union Counties for a Volunteer Open House at the Pleasant Valley Fire Station, 650 West Main Street in Plain City. The Open House will take place in the Training Room at the fire station.

At the Open House, potential volunteers will learn about the Red Cross and the services the organization provides to local communities. Attendees will also learn how they can get involved. Additionally, there will be a brief presentation about the history and mission of the American Red Cross with a question and answer session afterwards. Red Cross volunteers, Disaster Team members, and other staff will be on hand to help attendees learn about ways they can volunteer.

Available Volunteer opportunities include: Office Support, Disaster Action Team Member, Sheltering Team Member, Community Preparedness Education and Outreach, Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Logistics, Disaster Government Liaison, First Aid Service Team Member (Youth and Adult), Disaster Services Technology, Event Planner, and Fundraising Volunteer.

Those interested in attending the Volunteer Open House should RSVP by contacting Rosemary Sparks at (937) 642-6651.

The American Red Cross of Union County is located at 131 North Main Street, Suite K, Lower Level, Marysville, Ohio 43040.

For more information on how to give, training, or involvement with the American Red Cross, visit: www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

To read the full story in the Madison Press, go HERE.

The 9th Annual Heroes Breakfast, hosted by the American Red Cross, will be held on Thursday, June 19 from 7:30 to 9 am in the St. Patrick Elementary School Gymnasium, 226 Elm Street in London. The names of “Hometown Heroes” are submitted to the chapter of the American Red Cross in Madison County and heroes are chosen in several categories. Heroes are “ordinary people in our community who make extraordinary contributions by putting their needs aside to help others.”

The 2014 Hometown Heroes for Madison County are:

Adult Hero: Alice Kennedy

Board of Director Heroes: Lucas and Jolinda Gutierrez

Education Hero: Sue Hostetler

Education Hero: Diane Self

Lifetime Achievement: Loretta Weimer

Workplace Hero: Brenda McNeal

Joe won the Workplace Hero award in 2012.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, go HERE.