Winter is in full swing, and while the chill may keep many of us indoors, there's a crucial need out there that withstands any cold front: the demand for blood donations. According to Claudia Cohn, a professor and director at the University of Minnesota Blood Bank Laboratory, donations typically dip due to holiday distractions, travel, unforgiving weather, and seasonal sickness. But the need persists unabated. In a statement released by the University of Minnesota, Cohn emphasized that "victims of car accidents still arrive in emergency departments and cancer patients still require chemotherapy, both of which use life-saving blood transfusions."
Who's eligible to roll up their sleeves? Cohn detailed that most states allow healthy individuals over 16 to donate, with some setting the minimum at 17. Notably, the FDA updated their guidelines in 2023, lifting a longstanding ban on gay and bisexual men due to improved understanding of individual risk factors rather than blanket exclusions. Now, donors are assessed on a level playing field, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, helping to ease a essential resource's strain.
Concerns around vaccinations and donation eligibility also come up often. "There are some live attenuated vaccines — which include a weakened form of viruses or bacteria — that require a two- or four-week deferral," explains Cohn. However, the COVID-19 vaccine doesn't necessitate a waiting period as per FDA regulations, though individual blood centers might impose a minimal deferral on a case-by-case basis. "You should always defer blood donation if you are not feeling well," advised Cohn in the University of Minnesota interview.
For those pondering the impact of their donation, Cohn offers a clear-eyed view: "they save a life!" She affirms that with a transfusion every two seconds in the U.S., from trauma victims to those combating cancer, the act of donating is far from symbolic—it's a tangible lifeline. This meshes with her work at the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) where she serves as the chief medical officer, promoting awareness and education about blood donation's vital role in public health.
On a community-wide scale, the necessity for more donors mirrors a story of shared humanity—a constant in the narrative of medical needs that sees no season. With the U of M and M Health Fairview hosting regular blood drives, opportunities abound to give. As Cohn leads by example, both in her research and advocacy, the invitation is clear: consider donating if you're able and join the ranks of quiet heroes in our midst.
