March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates 153,020 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023.
Ontario City Councilman Alan Wapner is a colorectal cancer survivor. View his story below.
This month, you can help save local colorectal cancer patients by donating blood or platelets. During cancer treatments, patients are at risk for low red blood cell and platelet counts. Blood and platelet transfusions are FREQUENTLY needed during cancer patient care.
Donate in honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and bring hope to local patients and their families in March!
Plummeting Blood Donations During Spring Break
From March 26 through April 8, local high school students are on spring break. Twenty-percent of LifeStream’s blood supply comes from high school donors. So, when schools are on Spring Break, our community blood supply takes a hit, which puts patients at area hospitals at risk for not having the blood products they need for lifesaving treatments.
Last year, from March 26 through April 8, LifeStream hosted only 14 mobile blood drives at high schools that were still in session, collecting 896 pints of blood. In comparison, LifeStream hosted 22 mobile blood drives, collecting 1,303 pints of blood when local high schools were all in session. To keep our community blood supply stable, it is important for donors to donate before the Spring Break period. We must remember that it is the blood already on the shelves from donors who came in weeks and days prior that will service patients of a sudden disaster or mass tragedy.
