American Red Cross and Blood Donation:
The American Red Cross is an organization that plays a crucial role in the health care system of the United States. This is primarily because the organization is the largest single supplier of blood and associated products in the country. American Red Cross collects and processes over 40% of America's blood supply and distributes the blood to nearly 3,000 healthcare facilities and transfusion centers across the globe. In addition, the organization also plays a major role in safeguarding the safety of blood donors and patients as well as increasing the accessibility and availability of blood and blood products. Notably, American Red Cross depends on ordinary individuals and citizens to donate blood as well give their time, expertise, and finances in collection and distribution of blood and blood products. While there is no need for a special reason for an individual to donate blood, donating blood helps in changing a life because of the constant need for blood and blood products by some patients.
Background Information:
American Red Cross is an organization that has continued to play a major role in the country's health care system since the Second World War when the nation was in need of a huge supply of lifesaving blood ("About Us," par, 2). The need for lifesaving blood on a huge scale contributed to the development of this organization that collected approximately 13.3 million pints of blood plasma for use by American soldiers in the war. Upon the completion of World War II, American Red Cross launched the first countrywide civilian blood campaign and program. Since then, the organization collects about 6.5 million units of blood annually from nearly 4 million donors across the globe. In addition, the Red Cross distributes over 9 million blood products to several health care facilities and transfusion centers for transfusion.
The organization has developed to become the single largest provider of blood in the United States while also being a leader in research and testing to safeguard blood supply safety. Actually, American Red Cross was the first to create and execute testing procedures for infectious diseases like hepatitis B and C. And HIV. Apart from performing these functions, the organization operates a unique countrywide hemovigilance program to evaluate the adverse reactions of donors and patients. The data generated from the hemovigilance program is used to improve the quality and safety of blood and blood products. The other important function of the American Red Cross is its significant role in policies and standards for the industry through the involvement and participation of its experts. These experts help in ensuring the organization offers important data and competence that affect the direction of the blood banking sector.
With regards to the organization's role in ensuring an adequate blood supply, American Red Cross continues to work towards increasing the availability of blood and blood products. This process includes creating awareness among probable donors regarding healthy habits that will lessen deferrals and enhance the yield from platelet donors. As an important part of United States' blood supply, American Red Cross increases the diverse recruitment of blood donors. This is coupled by several initiatives to increase the number of blood donors across communities in the world and create awareness of the need for donating blood.
Donating Blood:
As previously mentioned, American Red Cross depends on ordinary citizens and individuals to give what they have towards the collection of blood and blood products ("Giving and Collecting Blood," par, 1). Individuals can participate in the process by either giving blood or giving their money, time, and expertise. Generally, people donate blood in order to contribute towards maintaining a healthy and reliable blood supply in the country. American Red Cross helps in maintaining such blood supply by recruiting donors since many people argue that they don't donate blood because they have never been asked to do so. The organization is committed towards recruiting potential blood donors through conducting...
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