A family physician in Henderson, Nevada, Dr. Kevin Buckwalter understands firsthand the importance of available blood donations to treat patients in need. Dr. Kevin Buckwalter has helped to meet this need as a volunteer blood drive assistant with the American Red Cross.
To donate blood, an individual must be in good health overall and currently well enough to perform normal daily activities. This regulation does not bar individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, as long as the condition is under a physician's management and the patient feels well. The healthy donor must weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old in most states, although some states do permit 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent. Donors who are 18 years old or younger must meet age-specific weight requirements that correlate to the patient's height and gender, while patients offering double red cell donations must also fulfill additional criteria. Donors of any age must be free of conditions that are transmissible by blood, such as HIV or hepatitis B or C. Secondary exposure to certain infections, such as malaria or hepatitis, may also make a person ineligible to donate until a certain period of time has passed so that the Red Cross may safely rule out the chance of transmission. Patients with special concerns or particular questions about eligibility can inquire at a local blood drive or check the Red Cross website at www.redcrossblood.org.
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September 2018
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