According to the American Red Cross, every 2 seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood or platelets. Donations are used for blood transfusions, surgeries, and even cancer treatments. Houchin Community Blood Bank in Bakersfield is pulling out all the stops, offering donor incentives, to help put a dent in the blood donation shortage. 23ABC's Ruby Rivera visited the blood bank to find out more.
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00:00 September is National Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
00:02 The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is saying that about every three minutes,
00:05 someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer.
00:10 At the same time, this year, more than 184,000 people in the U.S.
00:13 are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma.
00:17 But there are ways you can help those living with the disease get treatment,
00:20 namely by donating blood.
00:23 Here's 23ABC's Ruby Rivera, who shows us how a local blood bank is offering incentives
00:27 to those who roll up their sleeves to make a donation.
00:31 According to Houchin Community Blood Bank, every two seconds,
00:33 someone in the U.S. is in need of blood or platelets.
00:36 Donations are used for blood transfusions, surgeries, and even cancer patients.
00:40 And for local Nettie Farrar, cancer hits close to home.
00:43 And it's that reason that brings her back donating every week.
00:47 My mom passed of cancer, and my dad and my sister are survivors.
00:52 So I just feel like every week I need to give for those cancer patients.
00:57 Nettie Farrar says she's always been an avid blood donor,
01:00 but she says her recent retirement has allowed her to reach her goal of donating more frequently.
01:04 Farrar says she's heartbroken to know that there's an increasing need for volunteers,
01:08 which is why when she's not donating, she's always trying to educate others on its importance.
01:12 I had a roommate, and for Lent, she gave blood because she was afraid of needles,
01:18 and she was afraid to give blood.
01:19 So I know there's people out there, my husband will not do it.
01:22 He doesn't like to do it either. It's very comfortable. It doesn't hurt.
01:26 Farrar says she's happy to know Howchin is offering incentives,
01:29 as she knows not many people are comfortable donating or may not make the time to do so.
01:33 Donating blood can sometimes be a difficult process for some people,
01:36 whether it's the needle or if it's time.
01:39 And so these incentives help give them that extra push to donate.
01:43 And then once they're here, we've had lots of donors tell us, you know, I'm glad that I came.
01:48 Creative Development Coordinator for Howchin Community Blood Bank, Shane Hubbard,
01:51 says while the incentives are meant to bring in new donors,
01:54 he's seen many turn into regulars after finding the experience to be relaxing rather than nerve-wracking.
01:59 This is the case for regular Armando Garcia,
02:01 who initially started donating in high school as a way to get out of class.
02:04 He says he soon realized that not only was this for an important cause, but he had fun doing so.
02:09 I like being able to do what I can, so if I'm able to sit down for an hour and a half,
02:14 two hours, and it's going to help somebody, then I'm definitely willing to do it.
02:17 Farrar says she understands that many people may not want to donate out of fear,
02:21 but as someone who's been donating for years, she wants people to know that the pain only lasts a second
02:25 and the impact you create could mean a lifetime for someone else.
02:28 Try it. You don't know. It sounds frightening, I guess, if you're afraid of needles.
02:36 But you don't know until you try it that it can be comfortable.
02:40 Farrar says if she was able to, she would be sitting in this chair donating every day,
02:44 but is thankful that she gets to donate as frequently as she does and invites more people to join her.
02:49 Houston Community Blood Bank is always accepting walk-ins.
02:52 For more information on how to donate blood, visit our website, Turn23.com.
02:56 In Bakersfield, Rubir Vera, 23ABC News, connecting you.