CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- June 14 is recognized as "World Blood Donor Day," across the world. It raises awareness of the need for safe blood products and thanking donors for their life-saving gift. It's also taken a new meaning during the pandemic.

 

What You Need To Know

  • After being diagnosed with COVID-19 back in March, Brandi Rabon knew the first thing she wanted to do once she recovered is to help others

  • According to Oneblood, transfusions of blood and blood products help save millions of lives every year

  • Oneblood, is a not-for-profit community responsible for safe available and affordable blood



After being diagnosed with COVID-19 back in March, Brandi Rabon knew the first thing she wanted to do once she recovered is to help others. It took 12 days for Brandi to feel herself again.

“I was able to donate, I actually donated whole blood and of course they took the plasma and it went to help a critically ill person in the Charlotte area who is struggling with COVID-19," Rabon says.

This was important to Brandi, because she too was in critical need of blood at one point in her life.

“In 2009, I had a surgical procedure and a couple weeks later had some delayed bleeding and ended up needing a couple units of blood in an emergency room, so I definitely know the value of both receiving and giving blood and how it can be really life saving and life giving to those who need it," Rabon adds.

She said the process was simple, all she needed to do is fill out a questionnaire and show up to a facility to donate. She did it through Oneblood, a not-for-profit community responsible for safe available and affordable blood. Susan Forbes with Oneblood told us, the need for blood never stops.

"Everyday patients are being saved by blood donors. The blood has to be there in advanced if it is ever needed because if a patient needs blood it needs to be there and available for them immediately, so everyday people are getting that second chance at life because of blood donors, and we encourage people to make this a life long habit," Forbes says.

According to Oneblood, transfusions of blood and blood products help save millions of lives every year; the reason why Brandi plans on donating her plasma again next week.

“It’s definitely a way to respond to what’s going on in our world, both with COVID-19 and social unrest, this is just something that is very tangible that you can do to help others," Brandi says.

For more information on how you can donate blood you can visit their website.