Millicent Jones, an enrollment technology analyst in Growth Markets at Colonial Life, gives blood to the American Red Cross to meet the high demand hospitals have of her blood type.
She has O positive blood, which is the most common blood type, and therefore needed by many patients. And while only about 45% of Caucasians are type O, 51% of African-Americans and 57% of Hispanics are type O. This means that minority and diverse populations play a critical role in meeting the need for blood.
“I like to brag that I’ve got that good blood,” Millicent said with a smile.
Millicent also gives Power Red donations when she has the extra time (they only take 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation). Power Red donations return your plasma and platelets to your body, allowing you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation.
Why did she start giving Power Red donations?
“I learned about the benefits,” she said. “It can double my impact and provide more of my critically needed blood type for patients.”
Millicent knows the impact her donation makes but enjoys receiving personalized emails from the American Red Cross telling her just how far her blood has gone to those who needed it. “My blood made it all the way to Texas, once!”
There’s always a need for blood, especially in the summer months when donations are lower. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and your donation could potentially save up to three lives.
The American Red Cross facilitates a blood drive at Colonial Life in Columbia, SC every eight weeks. Thirty-three employees donated blood to the blood drive May 29.
