I don’t even know how many units of blood I’ve received. But I know all of that blood came from selfless individuals who made the decision to make an appointment and donate.”

Stephenie Perry

By Chris Caraveo
Twitter: @ChrisCaraveo31

Blood donations aren’t only for people in an emergency, like victims in a vehicle collision or a shooting.

People with or recovering from cancer also require blood transfusions.

And it’s more than you might think.

According to the American Red Cross, patients fighting cancer need more blood than patients fighting any other disease, using nearly one-quarter of the nation’s blood supply.

However, officials say there aren’t enough people donating blood regularly to meet the need. To raise awareness and to encourage the public to help, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society are working together in February to encourage people to “Give Blood to Give Time.”

“The need for blood in cancer treatments is an important and untold story,” said Gary Reedy, CEO of the American Cancer Society. “The American Cancer Society is excited to be working with the Red Cross on Give Blood to Give Time. Through this partnership, we want people to know there are multiple ways they can help and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.”

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. And officials estimate that 36,730 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Arizona this year. Many of these people will likely have a need for blood.

Why is that? Officials say some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing red blood cell and platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself or surgical procedures cause the problem. Thus, blood products are often needed. In fact, five units of blood are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment.

But only 3% of people in the United States give blood, officials said.

When asked why that may be, Roy Rodriguez with the Red Cross in Arizona said the No. 1 reason in surveys is that the person never really thought about it or had never been asked to donate.

In April 2015, Stephenie Perry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma exactly 10 days before her commencement ceremony from graduate school. One week after commencement, her treatments began. During chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants, she needed blood and platelet transfusions.

“I don’t even know how many units of blood I’ve received,” Ms. Perry stated in a release. “But I know all of that blood came from selfless individuals who made the decision to make an appointment and donate.”

In February 2019, Ms. Perry received news that her cancer was in remission. The next day, her then-boyfriend, Justin Perry, proposed to her — just in time for Valentine’s Day. They talked about marriage while she battled cancer, but they wanted to wait until she was in remission. Justin Perry said he didn’t want to go another day without asking her to marry him. They were married in September.

Officials said Ms. Perry’s red blood cell counts still get low at times. When that happens, she goes in for another blood transfusion.

“I think it’s safe to say that my successful battle with cancer depended upon complete strangers and their donated blood. For this, I am grateful,” she stated. “Sometimes I hear stories from friends about people who are scared of needles or afraid to donate blood. I wish I could stand face-to-face with those people and tell them there is nothing scary about saving a life — a life like mine.”

Blood donations are welcomed year-round. Officials hope people will spread that message with family and friends.

“Every single donation helps to save someone,” Mr. Rodriguez told the Daily Independent. “They’re helping patients in their community or nationally. It could be family or a friend in another state.

Also important to keep in mind is shelf life. Blood donations expire after about 42 days, while platelets are even lower at five days.

“So the need is always there,” Mr. Rodriguez said.

Individuals can make a blood donation appointment or financial contribution at GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 in most states — 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law — weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities (Maricopa County)

Chandler
• Feb. 15: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Harley Davidson, 6895 W. Chandler Blvd.
• Feb. 18: 1-6 p.m., NXP, 1300 North Alma School Road, Bldg. A
• Feb. 19: 1-6 p.m., Parcland Crossing, 800 W. Willis Road

Gilbert
• Feb. 13: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., NERDPOWER, 2065 W. Obispo Ave. Suite 102
• Feb. 17: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., American Furniture, 4700 S. Power Road

Goodyear

Mesa
• Feb. 19: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Red Mountain Multi-generational Center, 7550 E. Adobe
• Feb. 20: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, 5850 E. Still Circle

Peoria
• Feb. 13: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., EOS Fitness, 8440 W. Thunderbird Road

Phoenix
• Feb. 14: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., EOS Fitness, 12869 N. Tatum Blvd.
• Feb. 16: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Back Alley CrossFit, 7816 N. 12th St.
• Feb. 16: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., American Legion Pat Tillman Post 117, 3230 E. Thunderbird Road

Scottsdale
• Feb. 13: Noon-5 p.m., First Arizona Title Agency, 6263 N. Scottsdale Road Suite 190
• Feb. 15: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Basis Scottsdale, 10400 N. 128th St.
• Feb. 20: 8-10 a.m., Nationwide- Pima Center, 9200 E. Pima Center Parkway

Sun City West
• Feb 17: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Beardsley Recreation Center, 12755 W. Beardsley Road

Surprise
• Feb. 19: Noon-6:15 p.m., Northwest Regional Library, 16089 N. Bullard Ave.

Tempe
• Feb. 15: 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Del Rio Building, 1881 E. Del Rio Drive