With 50 bloodmobiles (mobile blood donation buses) available to volunteer donors, The Blood Connection (TBC) provides blood products to hospitals across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The nonprofit blood center aims to assist its healthcare partners with essential blood supplies and services, like platelets, plasma, and red cells, while also providing the local community with blood donation opportunities. North Carolina is home to three TBC locations in Asheville, Hendersonville, and Raleigh.
“TBC is an independent, nonprofit, community blood center,” said Allie Van Dyke, a Strategic Partnerships and Programs Manager. “We are a blood provider for more than 120 hospitals in the Carolinas and Georgia. Because we supply blood locally and collect locally, our donors know they are impacting their community with their donations. That’s what distinguishes us—we are local. Just like people shop local and eat local, giving blood with TBC means you are donating local too. Because we are a regional blood center, we can get blood to hospitals quickly and safely, as opposed to sending blood across the country. In the ENC [eastern North Carolina] area, TBC is the blood provider for around 50 hospitals, including WakeMed and UNC Rex.”
Blood Banks and Their Importance
Blood banks collect, store, and process blood from donors until it is used for a transfusion or further medical operation.
In our everyday lives, we use banks for monetary transactions and investments; in the medical world, blood banks are the equivalent of these financial institutions, using blood and its components as a form of “currency” for people who need them.
“We know people are scared of needles,” said Ms. Van Dyke, “but donating blood is such a simple way to help someone in your community. One blood donation can help up to three people. That’s a big deal!”
“Since TBC is the community blood provider, donations are helping neighbors. And again, blood has to come from another human being. We need everyone who is eligible to donate blood to maintain a stable blood supply. It takes all of us. Don’t assume that someone else will do it. We all need to do our part, and it doesn’t cost a dime.”
“Should you or your family need blood in the ENC area, you’d hope that blood would be available. Our goal is to make sure blood is available for anyone at any time. Blood is only available because people donate it, so we need the community to be committed to donating with TBC. Blood truly saves lives. We have great stories on our social media pages about how blood donations have kept families whole.”
Donation opportunities are available at two locations: a blood donation center or a mobile unit. At either of these locations, the volunteer donor gives blood which is sent to a blood processing center to test for blood-borne diseases. If the blood is deemed safe after the testing process, it is stored for up to 42 days (depending on the product). Blood products like whole blood, plasma, and platelets are stored at blood banks for hospitals to request—based on their needs throughout the year.
Once an order is placed by a hospital for a particular blood product, the order is transported by couriers who work at all points during the year.
So, Why Donate Blood?
Donating blood is not just a good deed, but it has the potential to save people’s lives. Blood donations are needed every day in the United States, yet only 3 percent of eligible blood donors donate blood each year. By choosing to donate, you can make a difference for those in need. This is especially important during times of crisis, when natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes necessitate blood donations from volunteer donors.
“The summer months are some of the hardest for blood centers because people are traveling, on vacation, and school is out of session,” said Ms. Van Dyke. “Around 25% of the blood supply is supported by students, and we are not able to host those blood drives in the summer when school is out. Our main focus will be telling the community about our need, and why it’s important to donate blood this summer. Donors receive rewards if they donate at a blood drive. Our Facebook page has more information.”
As part of the donation process, you have four options to choose from when giving blood: whole blood, red cells, platelets, and plasma. Eligibility varies depending on the donor, but you’re sure to find the right option for you.
“We have been battling low donor turnout since 2021,” said Ms. Van Dyke, “meaning there aren’t enough NEW blood donors to sustain the blood supply right now. This started right after the pandemic. The main problem is there are many more older donors (60+) than younger donors (19-24). We call it the ‘Silver Tsunami.’ Our blood supply is being supported by older donors, but they are less likely to be able to donate as they age. We’re not seeing younger donors give at the rate we need. This means we really need to spread the word to high schoolers and college/university-aged students to start donating blood at a young age. It’s estimated that 60% of the US population is eligible to donate blood but only about 3% actually do. We really need this number to be higher.”
“It also doesn’t seem like people are prioritizing blood donation like they used to, but the fact is—blood cannot be made or manufactured in a lab. It must come from another human being. It’s also the ONLY thing in many cases that can save someone’s life. TBC needs around 1,000 blood donations EVERY DAY to maintain a stable blood supply for our hospital partners. We cannot provide blood products if the community does not donate them.”
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Account and Finding a Blood Drive
For those who have never donated blood before, the process is straightforward and easy to navigate. Follow the steps below through the TBC website to get started!
First, you can log on to thebloodconnection.org. Once there, click on the donor portal button on the top right corner of the page.
You should see a log-in page, where you can click to create your own account below the log-in button. Make sure to click “Create One Now” so you can create your own account.
The personal account page requires basic information, like your name, contact information, and a username and password.
At this point, you should be directed to a panelboard displaying different options available through your account. To schedule your appointment, click on the “Donate Now” button on the top left.
On the “Search by Zip” page, you may enter details like your zip code (allowing The Blood Connection to find blood drives near you), whether you prefer to donate blood at mobile drives or donor centers, and how far you want the donation site to be from your location. Click “search” to display the drives near you.
A list of blood drives should be available for you to view, with specific details like the donation type—either mobile drive or donation center—location, distance, date, and time. Once you find one that suits your interests, you may click on the blue “schedule” button on the right-hand side corresponding to the drive that you wish to partake in.
A long list of times should be available on the following page; times in gray indicate that a time slot for donating blood has been taken by another donor, while times in dark blue indicate that a slot is still available for anyone to donate blood at that time.
Once you select a time that suits your schedule, make sure to click on the “schedule” button. You may add notes or any additional information in the “notes” section on the displayed page, should you wish to do so. Now, you’re all signed up!
To make sure that you’ve scheduled your appointment, you should receive a confirmation email informing you of your appointment. Make sure to note down this information, as you don’t want to miss your appointment.
Reminders Before Making a Blood Donation
You should take certain steps before your appointment. Make sure to eat a substantial meal before donating—filled with iron-rich foods like fish, beans, and spinach, is best—drink plenty of water, get a great deal of sleep the night before donating, and bring your photo ID to your appointment.
Requirements Regarding Who Can and Cannot Donate Blood
As part of the blood donation process, several requirements should be followed by the donor before they may donate whole blood. They must be in good physical health, be either 16 with written parental consent or 17 years of age, and weigh at least 110 pounds. If you are physically able to donate blood, you can do so every 56 days throughout the year (for whole blood). Requirements for other types of donations, like platelets, power red, and AB elite plasma, vary.
In saying this, people may not be able to donate blood for several reasons. Insufficient time between one donation and the next—as mentioned above, you must wait at least 56 days before you can donate blood after your initial blood donation—certain types of illnesses, low iron levels, and traveling outside of the U.S. to certain areas can prevent a donor from donating blood. Fortunately, alternative pathways exist to help those in need. Let’s look at some below!
A Great Way to Help If You Are Unable to Donate Blood
Hosting a blood drive is an initiative that can benefit many people in the local community. For those new to hosting a blood drive in the community, you can start by gathering as many donors as possible through a support team that can help spread the word!
You also want to make sure to select a large space for collecting donations, so each donor can provide details about their eligibility in private. The Blood Connection can bring a bloodmobile or they can set up inside a large room.
Helping donors schedule their appointments is a big part of hosting a blood drive, along with expressing gratitude for the time and effort they spent donating blood for those in need.
Donating your time to blood drives is an invaluable way to make your mark on the local community and get to know those in your area. You can become a blood donor ambassador by greeting donors and helping them register at the refreshments table, or you can volunteer as a blood transportation specialist, transferring blood and blood products from one location to another.
My Personal Experience Donating Blood with The Blood Connection
I was fortunate to attend a mobile blood drive on May 28 of this year via a bloodmobile from The Blood Connection. I created an account online through The Blood Connection website, scheduled my appointment in Apex at 3 p.m. for a whole blood donation, and arrived at my appointment about ten minutes early.
Once I entered the mobile unit, I filled out a sheet with my basic information. Then, I met with a phlebotomist from The Blood Connection.
I provided him with my photo ID and answered a set of questions from a questionnaire—which is standard for every donor before donating blood, so the phlebotomist can know whether a donor is eligible to donate or not.
I also had my temperature taken and my blood pressure measured, so the phlebotomist could ensure that I could proceed with my donation.
The next step in the process entailed the phlebotomist taking a blood sample. During my first few experiences donating blood, I was a bit nervous, but this step only takes a few seconds.
The phlebotomist simply pricked my finger—usually the bottom part of the middle or index finger—for a blood sample.
Five to seven seconds later, the blood sample was taken, and I pressed a small square piece of cloth against the pricked finger.
At this point, the phlebotomist invited me to make myself comfortable on one of the reclined seats filling the bloodmobile.
He identified a vein on my arm that would be suitable for the blood donation and made the necessary preparations—like spreading an antiseptic (iodine) on the area with a swab—prior to inserting the needle.
He also provided me with a black stress ball and informed me that I should squeeze it every three to five seconds during the blood donation process.
The donation I signed up for was whole blood, so the process only took about 15 to 20 minutes. The phlebotomists routinely checked on me, asking if I felt okay throughout my experience.
Once it concluded, the needle was removed, and I was welcome to have snacks and drinks provided near the back of the bus.
One of the phlebotomists instructed me that the patch-like bandage on my arm—situated on the vein where the blood was taken from—should remain in place for the next four hours.
I was also encouraged to stay about five to ten minutes on the bus, to be sure I wasn’t experiencing any lightheadedness or other after-effects of my donation.
“I have loved my time at TBC,” said Ms. Van Dyke. “Knowing that I am helping ensure there is enough blood in my community is rewarding. Everyone who works at TBC is helping save lives. We have a really important responsibility in the community, and we take it very seriously. I also donate blood, so I’m helping in multiple ways. It’s important to me to “walk the walk” and donate blood, since I ask people to donate blood almost every day.”
I enjoyed my experience donating blood through on the TBC bloodmobile! The staff were friendly and always made sure I felt okay throughout my blood donation.
If you’re interested in donating blood via The Blood Connection, secure a blood donation spot this summer and make a difference for those in need!
