On this Giving Tuesday, please consider giving the most precious gift of all. It doesn’t cost a penny, but for leukemia patients like Jackson, it’s worth more than gold!
You’ve probably heard a thousand times how important it is to donate blood. Maybe you’re even a “regular” who donates every 56 days and counts your total contributions in gallons.
But for most people, donating blood regularly isn’t top of mind. Maybe you donated at a blood drive at work or church a few months ago and haven’t given it another thought since. On average, Americans donate blood about once per year. That was me, too—until 2022, when Jackson was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Prior to this, I never truly understood the crucial importance of donating blood. I do now.
Almost all leukemia patients become “transfusion-dependent” at some point during their treatment. Because leukemia is a cancer of the blood, treatments like chemotherapy target the disease in the bone marrow. Unfortunately, this necessary battle often wipes out the body’s ability to produce its own healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
While doctors can use medications such as antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals to help fight infection, there is no medication that replaces blood. The only way to keep a leukemia patient alive while they wait for their body to recover is by transfusing donated red blood cells and platelets.
During treatment, leukemia patients may need blood products once a week, several times a week, or in severe cases—like Jackson’s final weeks —multiple times per day. Without these donated blood products, leukemia patients cannot survive.
Blood donations literally kept Jackson alive for over a year!
Where Does the Blood Come From?
It is a common misconception that blood can be manufactured in a lab. It simply cannot.
Every single drop of blood used in hospitals for cancer patients, trauma victims, and surgeries comes from a volunteer donor at a community blood bank.
When you donate to a local blood center, you are directly supporting the hospitals and cancer centers in your immediate area. These community banks are the lifeline that ensures blood is on the shelf before an emergency happens.
Understanding the Need: Acute vs. Chronic We often think of blood donation in terms of acute needs—the unpredictable tragedies like car accidents, trauma, or emergency surgeries where a patient needs a massive volume of blood immediately to survive.
But there is also a massive, silent demand for chronic needs. These are patients battling leukemia, other types of cancer, or blood disorders who require ongoing, scheduled transfusions to maintain their quality of life. Whether it’s a sudden emergency or a long-term battle, the need for blood donations is constant.
Where to Donate
If you are in Florida, OneBlood is our primary regional blood bank, serving the majority of hospitals in the state. You’ll likely see their “Big Red Buses” parked at community events.
For readers outside of Florida, you can easily find your local community blood center by using the AABB Blood Bank Locator.
Donation Centers vs. Mobile Drives While mobile blood drives (like the blood bus) are convenient for whole blood donations, brick-and-mortar Donation Centers offer a wider range of options.
- Whole blood can be donated anywhere.
- Platelets (a longer process called apheresis) require special machines that are typically only available at fixed donation centers.
A Note About The Bone Marrow Registry If you are willing to sit for a platelet donation, you are already the perfect candidate for the NMDP (formerly Be The Match). Many people fear marrow donation involves surgery, but 90% of the time, it is a non-surgical procedure (PBSC) that is almost identical to donating platelets. You sit in a chair, blood is drawn from one arm, processed to remove stem cells, and returned to the other arm. Please consider joining the registry—you could be the cure for someone’s blood cancer!
Who Can Donate Blood?
The general requirements are simple. You must be in good health, at least 16 or 17 years old (depending on your state), and weigh at least 110 pounds.
- Travel: Recent travel to certain countries (like malaria-risk zones) may require a waiting period, but most travel is fine.
- Medications: Most daily medications (like those for high blood pressure or cholesterol) do not disqualify you.
- Tattoos: In most states, if your tattoo was done in a licensed facility, there is no waiting period.
What Types of Blood Products Can You Donate?
- Whole Blood: The most common donation. It includes red cells, plasma, and platelets. It’s quick and easy.
- Power Red (Double Red): A machine collects two units of red blood cells and returns your plasma and platelets to you. This is ideal for O- donors.
- Platelets: A special machine collects just your platelets and returns the rest of your blood components. Platelets have a shelf life of only 5 to 7 days, so the supply must be constantly replenished.
Low Platelets: The Silent Killer for Leukemia Patients
When was the last time you checked your platelet count? Probably never, right? For most of us, it’s just a number on a lab report. But for leukemia patients, that number is a daily matter of life and death.
Platelets are the tiny cells in your blood that act as the body’s “first responders” for clotting. In a healthy person, a normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter. However, leukemia treatments often wipe out these cells entirely. We frequently watched Jackson’s counts plummet to terrifying lows—sometimes into the single digits—and once spent 12 hours in the emergency room for a simple nosebleed.
The problem often starts in the mouth and gums (known as mucositis). Without enough platelets, simple things we take for granted—like brushing your teeth, flossing, or getting a little scratch or a nosebleed—can trigger bleeding that simply won’t stop.
This creates a terrifying double-edged sword. First, there is the immediate risk of serious complications like internal bleeding. But second, those open wounds in the mouth or elsewhere can become gateways for bacteria and fungi. For an immunocompromised patient who has no immune system , these infections can turn life-threatening in a matter of hours.
Aside from the obvious phycisal pain and discomfort, having low platelets—and being transfusion-dependent in general—also robs leukemia patients of simple pleasures like traveling, dining out, or enjoying their favorite foods.
The Science: Blood Types and The Heroes We Need
You might wonder why we can’t just give any blood to any patient. It comes down to safety.
- The Match: Doctors perform a cross-match to ensure compatibility. If the types don’t match, the patient’s immune system will attack the new blood cells.
- The Universal Donors:
- O-Negative (Red Cells): The “Universal Donor” for red blood cells. In a trauma emergency when there is no time to test a patient’s blood type, doctors reach for O-Negative.
- AB-Positive (Platelets/Plasma): While O- is king for red cells, AB donors are the universal heroes for plasma and platelets. Because AB plasma carries no antibodies against other blood types, it can be given to almost anyone.
What if I don’t know my blood type? Don’t let that stop you! In fact, donating blood is one of the easiest ways to find out. You do not need to know your type to schedule an appointment. When you donate, the center will test your blood and inform you of your type—usually via a donor card or their online portal—completely for free. It’s a great perk, along with the “mini-physical” you receive that checks your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and iron levels.
What to Expect: It’s Easier Than You Think
If you’ve never donated because you’re nervous, let me assure you: the process is simple, safe, and surprisingly relaxing.
- Registration: You’ll sign in and answer questions about your health. Tip: Register online ahead of time to cut down wait time!
- Mini-Physical: A staff member will check your vitals and iron levels to ensure you are healthy enough to give.
- The Donation: You sit back in a comfortable chair. The procedure is performed by a trained phlebotomist, a medical professional specializing in drawing blood.
- Whole blood takes about 10–15 minutes.
- Platelets can take 1.5–2 hours (perfect for watching a movie or reading).
- Snacks: The best part! You get to sit for 15 minutes and enjoy free juice and cookies to replenish your energy.
Common Myths & Fears
“I’m afraid of catching a disease.” As a child of the 70s and 80s, I distinctly recall the fear that HIV or other diseases could be spread through blood transfusions. Let’s dispel this immediately: It is impossible to catch a disease from donating blood. The needles and bags are sterile, single-use, and sealed in packaging before they are used on you. Once used, they are discarded.
“I hate needles / I might faint.” This is the most common fear, and it’s not completely unfounded. But you can overcome it:
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water the day before and the day of donation. This makes your veins easier to find and prevents lightheadedness.
- Don’t Look: Tell the phlebotomist you’re nervous. They are pros at this. Look away, chat with the staff, or scroll on your phone during the “pinch.”
- Eat: Never donate on an empty stomach. A good meal beforehand keeps your blood sugar stable.
What if you do faint? If you happen to feel lightheaded or even faint, please know that it is nothing to be embarrassed about. You will be safe in a reclining chair, surrounded by trained professionals who have seen it all before. Their priority is your safety, and they will ensure you are fully recovered before you head home.
“The sight of blood freaks me out.” You might be surprised to hear that many regular donors feel exactly the same way! The good news is that you never actually have to see a single drop. The collection bag is typically hung low, out of your direct line of sight, or can be covered if you ask. Simply tell the phlebotomist you’re squeamish when you sit down. You can look away during the quick “pinch,” keep your eyes glued to a movie or your phone during the donation, and before you know it, you’ll be done without ever having to face your fear.
“My blood type isn’t needed.” This is one of the most damaging misconceptions out there. The reality is that hospitals require a diverse supply of every blood type to treat patients safely. Even if you believe your blood type is “common” or not in demand for whole blood, you could be a hero in a different way. For example, while O-Negative is famous as the universal red cell donor, AB donors are actually the universal donors for plasma and platelets. Since platelets are crucial for cancer patients and have a shelf life of only 5 to 7 days, there is a constant, critical need for them regardless of your blood type.
No matter what blood type you are, there is a patient whose life depends on it!
“I’ve been told I have difficult veins.” If a doctor or nurse has struggled to find a vein in the past, don’t let that discourage you. Often, “bad veins” are simply dehydrated veins. Drinking plenty of water in the 24 hours leading up to your donation can make your veins significantly easier to access. Furthermore, remember that blood donation center phlebotomists are specialists who perform this specific procedure all day, every day. They are often far more skilled at navigating “tricky” veins, and may have better equipment than general medical or emergency room staff.
“I’m just too busy.” The entire donation process generally takes an hour, with the actual blood draw lasting only 10-15 minutes. Donations can usually be scheduled for evenings and weekends, making it easy to fit regular blood donations into anyone’s schedule!
“Nobody ever asked me to.” I was surprised to learn that this is one of the top reasons people give for not donating blood. People often assume that if the need were truly critical, they would be personally contacted, or that “someone else” is already taking care of it. But the truth is, the blood supply is fragile and relies entirely on volunteers who step up without waiting for a crisis.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign or an invitation, this is it! Consider this my personal request to you. I guarantee you a patient just like Jackson is fighting for their life in your local cancer center this very moment, and they simply cannot win this battle without you.
When: How Often Can You Give?
- Whole Blood: Every 56 days (up to 6 times a year).
- Platelets: Because your body replaces platelets quickly, you can donate them every 7 days, up to 24 times a year. This makes platelet donors the “super-responders” for cancer patients.
Directed Donations: A Specific Way to Help
As I mentioned, during the last few weeks of his life, Jackson required multiple blood and platelet transfusions per day. It got to the point where we were worried about the supply of blood products being able to keep up with his critical need for them.
That’s when someone mentioned Directed Donations — something I wish we’d known about sooner.
A Directed Donation allows friends and family to donate blood specifically for a designated patient. It requires a form signed by the patient’s physician and must be coordinated a few days in advance to allow for processing and testing.
One of the most comforting aspects of this program is that nothing goes to waste. If the patient ends up not needing the blood, or if a donor’s blood type isn’t a match for the intended recipient, that donation is released into the general inventory. This means that even if your blood doesn’t go to your specific loved one, it will go to another patient in critical need. Here is OneBlood’s directed donation form if you’d prefer to donate to a specific patient.
I am disqualified from donating blood. Can I still help?
Absolutely! If you cannot donate due to health or eligibility reasons, your voice can be even more powerful than a blood donation. You can raise awareness, encourage friends and family to donate, or take it a step further by organizing a blood drive at your place of business, church, or community center. In fact, hosting a drive is one of the focal points of our volunteer programs.
Pro-Tip: Combining a blood drive with a Directed Donation campaign for a specific patient can really boost turnout! People love to rally behind a person they know, and as mentioned above, any extra blood collected goes on to save others in the community.
The #JacksonWouldGo Challenge
In closing, I’m asking you to do more than just read this. I’m asking you to make a plan. Don’t just donate once and walk away; pull out your calendar right now and schedule your appointments for the year! You can set them at 60-day intervals to “lock in” your schedule, or try alternating between whole blood and platelet donations to amplify your impact.
And when you’re in that chair, saving a life, please think of Jackson. Take a photo and tag us with #JacksonWouldGo!
I know in my heart that if Jackson were here and healthy today, he would be donating blood every single time he was eligible. Since he can’t, it’s up to you to carry on his legacy.
Please take his place in that chair, and help us save lives!