Royal United Mortgage LLC Employees Raise Sleeves to Help Indianapolis Community
On October 6, 2016 the Indiana Blood Center stopped by the Royal United Mortgage LLC headquarters in Indianapolis for a blood drive. There is a constant need for blood in this country for many reasons. The benefits of donating are simple; donating saves lives and improves health.
One of the reasons there is a constant need for blood is because blood can only be stored for a limited amount of time before use. Red blood cells are refrigerated and kept for up to 42 days, while other components such as platelets must be used within five days of collection.
Another factor for the constant need is because the demand is so high. According to the Indiana Blood Center, patients use more than 36 units of blood or blood products every minute. Every day approximately 40,000 units of blood are used throughout the country. With people being diagnosed with illnesses such as cancer, leukemia, and sickle cell disease, daily, there will always be a need for donated blood.
The core principle of donating blood is helping those in need. However, studies have shown that there are health benefits for those who donate. Repeated blood donation may help blood flow in a way that is favorable to the lining of blood vessels. This could result in fewer arterial blockages. As reported by the American Journal of Epidemiology, blood donors are 88% less likely to suffer a heart attack.
Blood donation also helps with the regulation of iron levels. For each unit of blood donated, about one-quarter gram of iron is lost. At first, lower iron levels may seem to be a detriment. However, too much iron can be worse. A condition called hemochromatosis effects about one in every two hundred people. It causes an iron overload and is labeled the most common genetic disease among Caucasians by the Mayo Clinic. A safe and effective treatment for this condition is blood removal. Since the condition is a genetic disorder it is not contagious which means the blood is safe to use for people in need.
Close to 30 employees volunteered to donate blood on October 6th, which is outstanding. It is understandable that some people are not physically able or do not qualify to donate. And some may donate on their personal time away from work. But when you look at the facts behind how much blood is needed and the benefits, much more than 27 people should be donating.
Anybody can be one diagnosis, surgery, or accident away from needing donated blood. So next time the Indiana Blood Center stops by or you are looking for a way to help. Please keep in mind all the positive aspects of donating and how many lives can be helped.
Written By: Shobi Pratap, Contents Specialist at Royal United Mortgage LLC
Published: 11/03/2016