Puerto Rico | Blood drives benefit 250 patients
Puerto Rico needs around 400 pints of blood every day to maintain blood centers stocked, but only between 130 and 150 units of blood were recollected; amount that, evidently, does not supply the demand.
In order to contribute to society, the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace (GEAP) in Puerto Rico, through the Integral Program: Life is in the Blood, proposes to contribute a socio-cultural and altruistic foundation based on love for life. As well as promoting the improvement of the quality of life in the human family.
As part of the strategies implemented by the GEAP to promote a culture of voluntary blood donation, the Activists for Peace raise awareness on the importance of this altruistic act through individual, group and donation conferences in different parts of the country.
Solidary marathons
On August 4 and 5, in Plaza Las Americas Shopping Center, a blood drive campaign was held with the support of the Mutual Services Blood Bank, Inc. in San Juan.
The volunteers of the GEAP invited the citizens to participate in this drive, which allows the cooperation with hospitals of the country and to help all those people who require a blood transfusion.
Requirements to donate blood
They also made known the different requirements for the person to become an active volunteer:
- Present Identification
- Donors must be at least 17-years-old to donate. However, some states allow 16-year-olds to donate blood with parental consent, who must present a copy of their identification and of their tutor. This procedure is done through the blood bank.
- Be in good general health and feeling well.
- Weigh 110 Ibs.
- If a person has diabetes or hypertension, they can donate if their condition is under control.
- Eat before donating.
- People with tattoos or piercings can donate blood after 12 months, in a registered and regulated establishment of the health department in Puerto Rico.
Donating the sap of life
There are many benefits the blood donor receives after donating blood. For instance, it cleans their blood, reduces the probability of heart attacks and the satisfaction of helping others, and many more.
The citizens in the capital city of the Island of Enchantment demonstrated their human kindness during these drives that collected a total of 111 units of safe blood, which help more than 250 patients that need blood transfusions to continue living.
