It's National Blood Donor Month

By George Nianiatus, senior writer
Communications Department

It’s conceivable Beverly Vinca of Bradford has saved the lives of more than 40 people and she doesn’t even know their names.

Although Mrs. Vinca never met any of them, she’s undaunted in her self-less act of giving the gift of life. With predictable regularity, every eight weeks she donates blood at Community Blood Bank (CBB) at Union Square, 24 Davis St., in Bradford. CBB is the sole provider of blood and blood supplies to Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC). Donating a pint of blood takes less than an hour and can be done by an individual every 56 days, say CBB officials.

Mrs. Vinca and a friend became motivated several years ago to give blood when someone they knew became ill and eventually died. “It was then that we decided to start giving blood. And it’s not hard to do at all,” Mrs. Vinca says.

There are a couple reasons that keep Mrs. Vinca returning to donate blood. First, “It makes me feel good to know this is going to help people,” she explains. Secondly, “Everybody here at Community Blood Bank is so nice it makes it a pleasant experience. We get to talk to everyone and after donating we’ll even have a snack together,” she adds. People should donate blood because it’s the right thing to do, Mrs. Vinca states. “Anyone can donate. All they have to do is set aside a little time,” she says. “And it doesn’t take very long. In 45 minutes or so you can be done.”

January is National Blood Donor Month, notes Dan Desrochers, CBB’s marketing director. “This is a great time of year for people to begin donating blood.”

Part of the reason is because a low donor turnout during the holidays has created a critical blood shortage for CBB. This is why donating blood can be one of the most important acts a person can do, say officials from CBB which provides blood to all hospitals in McKean, Warren, Potter, Elk and Erie counties in Pennsylvania, and 90 percent of blood in New York’s Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua counties.

“Levels of blood have dropped across the board with O-positive blood falling to critically low levels,” says Mr. Desrochers. As a temporary remedy, “CBB was able to borrow 50 units of O-positive blood from Indiana over the weekend but levels remain low.” Mr. Desrochers adds, “We hope we get some extra donors this week and throughout January.”

According to blood donation requirements, individuals must be at least 16 years old, be a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good basic health. Not long ago the age limit was lowered from 17 to 16, notes Mr. Desrochers. “Those who are age 16 must get parental consent, though.” Most of those who are age 16 typically donate at blood drives held in high schools.

No matter what their age, “Blood donors say they do it because it makes them feel good in knowing they’re helping others,” says Stephanie Frederick, BRMC’s laboratory supervisor. A unit of blood can help three different people with red cells, platelets and plasma, she explains.

Also, “It doesn’t cost you a cent to do it and very little time,” Mrs. Frederick says. At CBB, “We try to make blood donation as quick and as enjoyable an experience as possible,” says Jean Reese, MT, CBB’s site coordinator in Bradford.

“If we could get four or five donors each day at CBB in Bradford, that would be a tremendous help to those who need blood,” she adds.

The CBB site in Bradford is open every Thursday, 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., plus the second Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointment is necessary. For further information, call CBB at 362-3694. CBB also hosts employee blood drives the Medical Center in Bradford.

Pictured, Stephanie Frederick (left), Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) laboratory supervisor, gets Beverly Vinca ready to donate blood at Community Blood Bank (CBB) at Union Square, 24 Davis St., in Bradford. CBB is the sole provider of blood and blood supplies to BRMC.
(Photo Courtesy of BRMC)