More than 60% of people in the U.S. are eligible to donate blood, but according to the American Red Cross, only 3% of people do. One of those people is Gary Norton.
The 84-year-old Provo resident hit a milestone in August when he donated his 200th pint of blood. Over the years, Norton has donated about 25 gallons of blood, with the potential to save 600 lives.
“I have been donating on and off for 60 years, and on a more regular basis for the last 40,” Norton said in a statement. “I have always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and realized early on that one of the best ways was sharing my blood.”
Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, according to the Red Cross, whose blood supply has shrunk nearly 20% in recent weeks. If you’ve ever been on the fence about donating, now may be a great time to check your eligibility and roll up a sleeve.
“When donors give blood, they could be helping family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors — locally and across the country,” Norton said. “Every unit of blood can save someone’s life.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined multiple governors this month in proclaiming Sept. 4 as Blood Donation Day in the state. The first week of September also marked National Blood Donation Week.
Michael Smauldon, executive director of the American Red Cross of Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter, noted that the 21st anniversary of 9/11 on Sunday is another reason to donate, calling it a “meaningful way to mark the tragic events” of the day.
How to donate blood in Utah:
If you would like to donate blood, you may visit RedCross.org, click “Give Blood,” and then click “Find a Blood Drive.” You can search by ZIP code to find a drive near you.
The following drives are coming up in Salt Lake County:
Sept. 9: Murray Utah Stake Center, 5200 S. Glendon St., Murray, 1-7 p.m.
Sept. 12: Kearns High School, 5525 S. Cougar Lane, Kearns, 8:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Sept. 13: Salt Lake County Complex, 2001 S. State St., South Bldg., USU Room S1-950, Salt Lake City, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 15: Holladay South Stake, 5450 South Holladay Blvd., Salt Lake City, 3-8 p.m.
If you donate blood, platelets or plasma by Sept. 18, you will receive a Red Cross T-shirt.
If you donate anytime this month, you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience, including two tickets to a 2023 race; donors will also receive a coupon via email for a free haircut at Sport Clips Haircuts. Details are available at rcblood.org/racetogive.
Who is eligible to donate?
You must be at least 17 years old to donate blood, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent, if allowed by state law. Pregnant people can’t donate, and must wait six weeks after giving birth to be eligible.
Illness:
If you have been sick with COVID-19 recently, you must wait 10 days after experiencing any symptoms to donate. If you have a temperature above 99.5 degrees or an acute infection, you can’t donate. The Red Cross advises you must be feeling healthy the day of your appointment in order to be eligible.
Medications/vaccines/booster shots:
In most cases, medications will not disqualify you from donating blood. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed, according to the Red Cross.
You can donate if you received a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax or Pfizer.
If you’re taking antibiotics, you can donate the day you finish your last pill.
Men who have sex with men:
According to the Red Cross, first-time male donors may be eligible to donate if they haven’t had sex with another man in more than three months.
Piercings and tattoos:
If you were pierced with single-use and disposable equipment, you can donate. If you were pierced with any reusable gun or instrument, you must wait three months to donate.
In Utah, where tattoo studios aren’t regulated by the state, you must wait three months since receiving your last ink to be eligible.
American Red Cross
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