Nevada will be one of 26 states participating in the National Blood Donation Week next week in an effort to get people out and donating.
Dr. Deliah Wachs, a Las Vegas radio personality, was part of the initiative to start the Blood Donation Week. It started in Nevada in 2015 with a proclamation from Gov. Brian Sandoval to appoint the last Saturday in April as Blood Donation Day, but she decided it needed to be bigger and started coordinating with different states to create national week.
“Now we have national coverage on the blood shortage problems and because Nevada’s was so successful we decided to take it national,” said Wachs.
The week will be held Sept. 4 through Sept. 10 and will include more than two dozen states including Michigan, Arkansas and Rhode Island. It was decided to host the week in September because it’s National Preparedness Month and because the end of summer is usually the slowest time for blood donations.
“In Nevada we always have a drop in donations after the Labor Day weekend because people get busy with the start of school and such so this will help that blood drought,” said Wachs.
Having a multitude of blood donations is beneficial for states because if a large tragedy occurs, such as the Orlando night club shooting, then states can help each other and the hospitals to ensure prepared blood is ready to be able to send over. “With events like Orlando, we had blood sent from all over,” Wachs said “So the blood banks have these networks to help so even if a state is doing just OK (they can still get enough resources). And it is great to see the states unite.”
And having the blood drive week is beneficial not only for the donations, but to educate people on the process and necessity of blood donation.
“People don’t know much about blood donation so when you have these days and drives it increases donations, and education,” Wachs said. “…Even if you can’t donate, spread the word or host a drive.”
There will be blood drives across Fallon, Fernley, Minden, Carson City and Reno over the next week. A bloodmobile will be at the U.S. Army Recruiting Center, 911 Topsy Lane, Suite 208, from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 8
To make an appointment, call 800-6964484 or go online to bloodhero.com.