Pamela Austin’s Post

Did you know that nearly anyone can be a cornea donor? The great thing about corneal tissue is that everyone is a universal donor. Your blood type does not have to match. It doesn't matter how old you are, what color your eyes are, or how good your eyesight is. Aside from those suffering from infections or a few highly communicable diseases, most people are suitable donors. This Eye Donation Month, become a donor hero by registering as an eye, organ, and tissue donor at: RegisterMe.org For more on eye donation, visit RestoreSight.org #eyedonationmonth

🚨 ⚠️ ALERT: Platelet and Type O donors needed now – severe winter weather impacting much of the US has forced the cancellation of thousands of blood and platelet donations. In the first 10 days of this year, severe weather has caused the cancelation of more than 300 blood drives, resulting in more than 8,000 blood donations going uncollected so far this year. The draw-down of platelets and Type O blood products due to weather cancellations are particularly concerning. Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding, and are most often used by cancer patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries. With a shelf life of just 5 days, every platelet donation is vital for ongoing patient care. Type O blood is the most common blood type and in high demand by hospitals with type O negative blood needed for emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants. Those who are in an area where it is safe to travel to donate are urged to do so as soon as possible. Find a donation opportunity and schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, 1-800-RED CROSS or the Red Cross Blood Donor App. #giveblood #savelives #weatheralert #winterweather

🩸 Celebrating World Blood Donor Day: The Lifesaving Power of RBCs! 🌍❤️ Today is World Blood Donor Day, a vital occasion to recognize and celebrate the selfless heroes who donate blood and save countless lives. This year, my poster design highlights the incredible role of red blood cells (RBCs) in our body. These tiny yet powerful cells are the cornerstone of life, transporting oxygen to our organs and tissues, keeping us energized and healthy. RBCs are a fascinating aspect of our biology and essential for survival. Every blood donation helps replenish these crucial cells in patients who need them due to surgeries, illnesses, or accidents. By focusing on RBCs, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and encourage more people to become donors. Every drop counts and every donor makes a difference! How do you plan to support World Blood Donor Day? Whether you're donating blood, spreading awareness, or simply learning more about the impact of blood donations, your involvement matters. Join the conversation and share your thoughts or experiences with blood donation. Let's celebrate and support this lifesaving cause together! 🩸🌟 #WorldBloodDonorDay #DonateBlood #LifeSavers Feel free to share your stories and join the discussion about the importance of blood donation!

🌍 World Blood Donor Day 2024: Be a Hero, Donate Blood!🩸 Today, we celebrate World Blood Donor Day, a crucial reminder of the lifesaving impact each of us can make. Every year, millions of people around the world rely on donated blood to survive surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. 🚨 Did you know? - Just one blood donation can save up to three lives. - There’s a constant need for blood, as it has a limited shelf life. - Regular donations are essential to maintain an adequate blood supply for emergencies and routine medical needs. This year's theme, "Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often," emphasizes the importance of regular donations to ensure the availability of safe blood and blood products for those in need. 🩸 How You Can Help: 1. Donate Blood: Find a local blood donation center and schedule your donation. 2. Spread Awareness: Share this post and encourage your network to become regular donors. 3. Volunteer: Support local blood drives and donor recruitment initiatives. As public health professionals, we know that a healthy and active donor community is vital for resilient healthcare systems. Let's come together to support this noble cause and make a difference. Thank you to all the dedicated donors who make this possible. Your selflessness saves lives every day. #WorldBloodDonorDay #DonateBloodSaveLives #PublicHealth #GiveBlood #HealthcareHeroes

Did you know that blood donation is a lifeline for those living with sickle cell disease? These brave individuals often rely on regular blood transfusions to manage painful episodes and prevent complications. But when blood supplies run low—especially in colder months—it can mean delays in care, increased pain, and life-threatening crises. For individuals with sickle cell disease, limited access to donated blood is not just an inconvenience; it is devastating. This is why your donation is so important. Here’s how YOU can make a difference: ➡️ Find a local blood drive or donor center. ➡️ Contact organizations like the American Red Cross or your local hospitals to learn how to give. ➡️ Spread the word and encourage others to donate, especially if you’re a match for rare blood types that many sickle cell patients rely on. Every pint of blood donated is a gift of hope, relief, and survival. Let’s shine a light on sickle cell warriors this month and show up for them when they need it most. #NationalBloodDonorMonth #BloodDonation #SickleCellAwareness

KNOW YOUR GENOTYPE! Genotype testing for sickle cell disease (SCD) is vital for identifying carriers and individuals with the disease, allowing Sickle Cell Warriors to learn their risk of passing on and plan for healthier kids. Knowing your genotype can also ultimately help to "Reduce the cycle of pain." Take control of your health today! Our endgame is to reduce the death rate of children below the age of 5 living with sickle cell disease form 75% to less than 10% by 2025. Our goal is to raise 30,000,000 NGN to provide essential nutrients for 2,000 children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). To contribute in dollars, kindly click this link: https://lnkd.in/di4F8mff For Naira donations: Account Name: Brain and Body Foundation Account Number: 0178810529 Bank: GTBank For more information about our work, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dpQpsgC

Fear. Some people bungee jump. Others chuck themselves out of aeroplanes. Me? I give blood. Hemophobia is the fear of the sight of blood. Trypanophobia is the intense fear of needles. Yet, if we can overcome these fears, we can help so many people, because here’s what happens after we donate… On arrival at the blood centre, each donor’s blood samples are sent to be tested. The white blood cells are filtered out of each donation. Then each blood donation is broken down into its separate component parts using a centrifuge. Red blood cells, plasma, or platelets are extracted using specialised machines. Since each blood donation is split into its component parts, our donations can help to save or improve the lives of up to three people. Help to save or improve the lives of up to three people? For me, this is sufficient motivation. Last week, it would have been easy to have not donated. I could have carried on working, but I chose not to. Nationwide, here in the UK, there is a shortage of donors. The NHS needs new blood donors from all backgrounds to ensure there is the right blood available for patients requiring it. What’s needed: ·        4,300 blood donations every day on average to meet the needs of our hospitals. ·        Over 140,000 people to donate blood for the first time each year. ·        12,000 new Black heritage donors, to meet the growing demand for ethnically matched blood for sickle cell patients who need regular transfusions to stay alive. ·        More young people aged 17-35 to donate, to ensure we have enough blood for the future. If you can give blood, please do. If you’d like to find out if you can, register with the NHS Blood and Transplant team by calling 0300 123 23 23. Awaiting you will be a cup of tea, biscuit. Later, you will receive a text message, informing you of which hospital has benefitted from your donation. Priceless. “Your little effort can give others a second chance to live life.” Thank you for reading. Have a great week! #Altruism #GiveBlood

Be a Hero: Donate Blood, Save Lives Why Donate Blood? Save Lives: One donation can save up to three lives. Blood is essential for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment, and managing chronic diseases. Universal Need: Blood is needed everywhere and every day. Hospitals rely on a steady supply to be prepared for emergencies .Health Benefits: Donating blood can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of certain diseases. It also offers a free mini-health checkup. Community Support: By donating blood, you’re directly supporting your community and helping ensure that blood is available for those in need. On this World Blood Donors Day, let’s celebrate the spirit of giving and the power of unity. Your blood donation is more than a drop in the bucket – it’s a lifeline for those in need. Be a hero. Donate blood. Save lives. Srideviartsandsciene college blood donation

🚨ALERT: Platelet and Type O donors needed now – severe winter weather impacting much of the US has forced the cancellation of thousands of blood and platelet donations. In the first 10 days of this year, severe weather has caused the cancelation of more than 300 blood drives, resulting in more than 8,000 blood donations going uncollected so far this year. The draw-down of platelets and Type O blood products due to weather cancellations are particularly concerning. Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding, and are most often used by cancer patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries. With a shelf life of just 5 days, every platelet donation is vital for ongoing patient care. Type O blood is the most common blood type and in high demand by hospitals with type O negative blood needed for emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants. Those who are in an area where it is safe to travel to donate are urged to do so as soon as possible. Find a donation opportunity and schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, 1-800-RED CROSS or the Red Cross Blood Donor App. #GiveBloodGiveLife #BloodDonor #RedCRossNTX

Saving lives, one pint at a time! 🩸 Giving blood is a simple but powerful way to make a significant impact on the health and lives of others. Blood donations are critical for: ⭐️ Cancer treatments ⭐️ Chronic illnesses (e.g. sickle cell anemia) ⭐️ Emergency preparedness … and many more. Last Sunday, I had an opportunity to give my blood for the first time. I was scared. I didn’t know what to expect. But the process was seamless. From the booking to the blood donation itself. It was a privilege to have been able to help someone in need. However … We need more donors from all communities, especially Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Last year, fewer than 5% of donors were from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Although making up 14% of the population. When I heard this I was *shocked*. A number of blood conditions, like sickle cell and thalassaemia which are treated through blood transfusions, most commonly affect people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. But there still isn’t enough people donating. As part of this community, I felt helpless. Not sure how I can make a difference. But I realised, in order to make a difference, I have to start the process myself. So if you are scared or worried like I was about giving blood but you want to make a difference, try not to be (I know easier said than done). There are times that suit everyone, from evenings to weekends. To start the process it is as easy as registering to be a blood donor on the NHS website and choosing the time that works for you. ~The Process (If you have any questions about the process, I am more than happy to help 😊)