Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15

Published by Kirby Winn on Sunday, September 15, 2024 in News Releases

ImpactLife is recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15) by highlighting the importance of blood donation by members of Latino and Hispanic communities.

Nearly 60% of Latinos have the type O blood type, the “universal” type that can be transfused to all other blood types. For this reason, type O red blood cells are frequently used in emergency situations and this often leads to critically low blood inventory levels for O-positive and O-negative blood.

In addition, genetic conditions such as Sickle Cell and Thalassemia disproportionately affect African-American and Hispanic communities. Recruiting a diverse donor base that matches the diversity of patient needs helps ensure the availability of appropriately matched red blood cells for patients with these genetically inherited conditions. 

Jorge Silva (left), an ImpactLife Associate Board member and medical student at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, explains why blood donation is important to him. “As a medical student interested in trauma surgery, I’ve been able to see firsthand the incredible impact of that a blood donor has on patients in the emergency room,” said Silva.

See an interview with Jorge in Spanish or English, below.

download .mp4

download .mp4

Spanish-language donor recruitment toolkit: www.bloodcenter.org/sangre
The blood center has developed a Spanish-language donor recruitment toolkit to help increase awareness and understanding of the important role Latino blood donors can play in the health of their communities. Available at www.bloodcenter.org/sangre, the toolkit includes social media graphics, email headers, and information on donor eligibility, all presented in Spanish.

To schedule an appointment for donation, call (800) 747-5401, text 999-777, or schedule online at bloodcenter.org, or via the Blood Center's mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).

ImpactLife Donor Rewards: September 9-30
Through the end of September, all presenting donors will receive a voucher to redeem for an electronic gift card, bonus points to use in the Donor Rewards Store, or an equivalent value donation to Make-A-Wish chapters in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin (see www.bloodcenter.org/goodgiving). The value of each depends on the donor's planned donation procedure and location.

• WHOLE BLOOD (MOBILE BLOOD DRIVES) - $20 gift card OR donation OR 1,000 points
• NEW: WHOLE BLOOD (DONOR CENTERS) - $30 gift card or donation OR 2,000 points
• DOUBLE REDS & PLASMA ONLY (MOBILE BLOOD DRIVES) - $25 gift card OR donation OR 1,500 points
• NEW: DOUBLE REDS (DONOR CENTERS) - $35 gift card or donation OR 2,500 points
• NEW: 3+ TIME PLATELETS (ALL LOCATIONS) - $35 gift card OR donation or 2,500 points
• NEW: 1st & 2nd TIME PLATELETS (ALL LOCATIONS) - $60 gift card OR donation OR 5,000 points

To learn more about ImpactLife donor promotions, see www.bloodcenter.org/now. 

About ImpactLife
ImpactLife's mission is to save lives by engaging donors, supporting partners, and advancing medicine. Founded in 1974, ImpactLife supplies blood products and services to hundreds of hospitals, emergency services organizations, clinical researchers, and other blood centers throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The nonprofit blood provider is ranked among the leading 12 blood suppliers in the United States by collection volume. For more information on current blood inventory levels, our donor promotions, and more, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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