This Simple Act Has a Huge Impact

The Abbott Edge newsletter has the latest on life-changing health technology and innovations, and tips for living a full life. In this month’s edition, we take a closer look at how blood donation saves lives and offer advice for first-time donors.

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LET'S DIVE IN

Some 5 million Americans need a blood transfusion each year. And while 60 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, just 3 percent actually donate each year. 

Last fall, we partnered with the Big Ten Conference to help close this gap. “The We Give Blood Drive” conference-wide competition encouraged students, alumni and fans to donate blood and help tackle the largest blood shortage the U.S. has seen in a generation.  

Just one donation can save up to three lives. In just three months, “The We Give Blood Drive” saved as many as 60,000 lives. And it’s just the beginning, because the need for blood is constant. 

Compelled to donate yet? Read on for more staggering statistics and tips for donating. 

HEALTH TECH PULSE

Numbers and data to know in the world of Abbott and health tech. 

• There are zero substitutes for human blood. 

• Only 3 percent of age-eligible people in the U.S. give blood each year. [1]

• One donation can save up to three lives. [1]

• Donated red blood cells only have a maximum shelf life of 42 days. [1]

• Only 7 percent of people have type O negative blood and are therefore universal donors. [2]

• Some 20,000 blood donors saved as many as 60,000 lives during “The We Give Blood Drive” last year. 
• Eligible donors can donate whole blood every 56 days, which is up to six times per year. [2]

[1] https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/blood/donation

[2] American Red Cross

LIVING PROOF

Recovery stories that inspire.

Genevieve Wright’s mother says that when Genevieve was born, she was given just a 2 percent chance of survival. But after 65 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, daily infusions of blood components and seven full transfusions, Genevieve was discharged.

Now, she’s 9 and living her best life. That's the life-saving power of blood donation. Read her story here. 

HACK YOUR HEALTH

Tips to help you live your life fully. 

It's understandable that you'd look for advice that improves your own health journey. But what if you could help someone else along the way? It can be that easy: Just one hour of your time to donate blood can help save up to three lives.  

Here's how to do it: 

1. Find a blood donation location. Here's a convenient way to find one: Search the Be The 1 donor website. 
2. Drink two large glasses of water before your visit. Perhaps a goal of yours already is to hydrate more. Good news: those fluids will help you during your donation. 
3. Eat. Bonus points if it’s food high in iron such as spinach, eggs or beans. 
4. Know your basic medical history. You'll be asked a few questions as part of a standard screening. 
5. Relax. The actual donating part only takes about 10 minutes. If you need some distraction, pop in your headphones or check out locations that offer our mixed reality experience. 
6. Celebrate — and consider donating again. You just took time out of your day for an act that could save someone’s life! Pat yourself on the back and consider becoming a regular donor. You can donate up to six times a year. 

DO YOU KNOW? 

Test your knowledge with this question. 

Approximately how many seconds go by until another person in the U.S. needs blood? 

A. 60 seconds 

B. 10 seconds 

C. 2 seconds 

D. 5 seconds

Click here for the answer.