World Blood Donor Day Highlights the Lifesaving Importance of Blood Donation
World Blood Donor Day is June 14
6/13/2025
Melissa Marquardt, Transfusion Services Technical Specialist & Transfusion Safety Officer at Aspirus
According to the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, someone in the United States
needs blood every two seconds. On World Blood Donor Day, Aspirus and regional
blood centers are calling attention to this critical and ongoing need, urging
more people to consider becoming regular blood donors.
Blood donations
support a wide range of patients, including those undergoing surgery, cancer
treatments, emergency care, and neonatal intensive care. There is no substitute
for donated blood. It must come from healthy individuals who choose to give.
“With all of our
medical advancements, there is still no substitute for human blood,” said
Melissa Marquardt, transfusion services technical specialist and transfusion
safety officer at Aspirus. “Every donation makes a direct impact on the care we
provide to patients. Whether it is a premature infant or someone recovering
from major surgery, that unit of blood can save a life.”
Emily Jolin,
executive director of Wausau operations for The Community Blood Center, emphasized the importance of readiness.
“Blood has to be
tested, processed, and on the shelf before it is needed,” Jolin said. “We rely
on a steady stream of donors so that blood is available when patients arrive.
There is no time to wait in a crisis.”
The donation process
is safe and straightforward. It typically takes about an hour from arrival to
departure, including health screening and a short recovery period. Many people
can donate even if they take medications for common conditions such as high blood
pressure or cholesterol.
Beyond individual
contributions, businesses, schools, and organizations can make a major impact
by hosting mobile blood drives.
“Hosting regular
drives at workplaces is one of the most effective ways to ensure consistent
donations,” said Marquardt. “It makes the process convenient and helps maintain
a reliable blood supply for the entire community.”
To find a blood
donation opportunity in your area, visit The Community Blood Center at www.communityblood.org if you are in
Wisconsin, the Regional Blood Center at www.uphealthsystem.com/regional-blood-center
if you are in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or Memorial Blood Centers at www.mbc.org if you are in Minnesota.
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