By Ben Horn, Red Cross volunteer

Feb. 4 is World Cancer Day, an awareness day held each year to affect change regarding preventable cancer deaths and equitable treatment. The American Red Cross is committed to helping cancer patients through blood donation and is the provider of over 40% of the blood supply in the United States. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation rely specifically on platelet donation because their own platelets, tiny cells that form clots and stop bleeding, can be damaged during treatment.

With nearly 40% of American men and women diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, a personal connection to the illness is likely; and can serve as inspiration to donate blood on World Cancer Day—especially when cancer hits close to home.

This is the case for Eric Lee, a board member for the Central Maryland Chapter of the Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region. “Having lost both parents to cancer, I am attuned to cancer markers and don’t like watching those with cancer suffer,” he said.

Lee of Baldwin, Maryland, has donated platelets on 357 occasions. Lee donated whole blood before being asked to donate platelets. By agreeing, he was also able to help someone close to him.

“I chose to donate platelets because of the constant need. I give approximately once a month, and I know that my platelets will help those in need,” said Lee. “I also have done a targeted donation for a friend who had cancer and was of the same blood type.”

Someone in the U.S. needs life-saving platelets every 15 seconds; they are essential to treat cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. Eligible donors may donate platelets as often as every seven days, up to 24 times a year.

As the nation’s largest platelet provider, the American Red Cross is dedicated to meeting the rising need for platelets, today and for decades to come. However, some individuals may be unsure about donating, despite being eligible. Lee encourages these people to go forward in the process, specifically giving a blood donation every time they are eligible.  

“For anyone who has never given [a whole blood donation] before, it takes about an hour and you can give every 56 days. The prick lasts less than a fraction of a second. Remember, your blood is always needed and won’t go to waste,” said Lee.

World Cancer Day is an opportunity to take the first step in being a part of a community making a difference. One of these communities is the vast network of Red Cross blood donors. Whether donating platelets, plasma, whole blood or giving a Power Red donation, a donor can help save lives!

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If you or someone you know is interested in giving blood, visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

Find out more about the importance of platelets in cancer care at redcrossblood.org/cancer