By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos
How would you like to have a New Year’s Resolution that could be accomplished in a brief period, just once or even a few times a year? If the idea is new to you, try it just once and if you like it, feel free to set your own goal. Oh, and did I mention it just might save a life?
You can help someone thrive in 2025 and help a non-profit organization save lives for people in the process. The nonprofit is Vitalant, and the goal is donating blood. Did you know in January of 2024 there was a total of 180 donations in our community? They hope to beat that goal in the new year, even by one donation in 2025. Could that one be you?
Heidi Chase was in IT for many years before a non-profit board member position made her see the light that non-profits bring to the world. She was drawn to Vitalant to make a direct impact on the community, and she lives and breathes that goal every day, with a little help from new friends.
How important are these small community events?
“Our volunteer blood donors ARE the difference between life and death,” said Chase, the Vitalant Manager for community events. “Thousands of hospital patients require blood transfusions every month and they would not receive those transfusions if not for blood donors. There is no substitute for human blood.”
The basics for being a blood donor are that you are at least 16 years of age, weigh 110 pounds or more, are in general good health, eat a healthy meal before donating and bring a photo ID. While additional requirements can be found online or by stopping by a blood drive it really is easy. A basic health screening is part of the process and can even be done online to save you time on the day of the event.
Almost anyone can donate blood, yet only about 3 percent of Americans donate blood, according to www.americasblood.org. According to Chase, common misconceptions about donation eligibility, such as diabetics or those with tattoos cannot donate blood, are not true. Also no longer in place is a permanent restriction for those who lived in Europe in the 1980s and 1990s.
January has several opportunities to donate in Los Alamos and White Rock:
- Thursday Jan. 9: Los Alamos community blood drive at the First Baptist Church;
- Friday Jan. 10: Los Alamos community blood drive at the First Baptist Church;
- Friday Jan. 17: White Rock community blood drive at Bryce Avenue Presbyterian Church; and
- Saturday Jan. 18: Los Alamos Smith’s Marketplace (look for the Mobile Blood Unit).
A snack and water will be ready to hydrate and give you a boost before sending you on your way. You can call 877.258.4825 to make an appointment, sign up online at www.vitalant.org or find the Vitalant App in the app store.
If you cannot donate, please spread the word and help improve awareness of the need for blood donations. You can help the Vitalant team beat the January 2024 goal in our communities. If you like the competitive nature of commitment, check out Vital Elite on their website to acquire points and prizes. A variety of Vitalant events have giveaways, and you can learn more about those, too.