Blood donation is a public health matter that deserves our full attention. According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. One donation can potentially save more than one life, but only 3% of the eligible U.S. population donates blood each year.
Thousands of patients rely on blood transfusions throughout their lives to stay healthy, but engagement from new blood donors has declined steadily for most of the past decade.
Since blood is perishable and cannot be artificially produced, the Red Cross needs all eligible individuals to roll up their sleeves and give to help those in need. This is why blood donation is a humanitarian effort. Whenever you donate blood, you are contributing to another person’s healthcare needs during a critical, perhaps life-threatening moment.
Donating Blood During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume all surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They encourage healthy individuals to keep scheduled donation appointments and to make new blood donation appointments now and for the weeks and months to come.
Also, patients who have fully recovered following a COVID-19 diagnosis may have antibodies in their blood plasma that can help those with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections. They can sign up to donate convalescent plasma to help current COVID-19 patients.
Why We’re Proud to Partner with the American Red Cross
Herbalife Nutrition and the American Red Cross have something important in common: we both rely on our communities to succeed.
At Herbalife Nutrition, our independent distributors bring our products to their communities while supporting and coaching their customers. The American Red Cross relies on a community of donors and volunteers to supply blood for hospitals across the country.
While our organizations contribute to our communities differently, we both want to help people achieve healthier lives. It’s this commitment to health and community that makes us proud to work with the American Red Cross.
For 22 years, Herbalife Nutrition has supported the Red Cross. Over the past five years alone, the company has donated more than 1.1 million Protein Deluxe Bars, valued at more than $2 million, to 120 Red Cross blood donation centers across the U.S.
Herbalife Nutrition has held a seat on the American Red Cross Los Angeles Board since 2008. Our very own Dr. Kristy Appelhans, Senior Director, Global Post-Market Medical Surveillance, currently holds a seat on the Los Angeles Regional Board of Directors. She joined the board in early 2018, inspired by a desire to protect, nurture, and help others while playing a more active role in promoting community health.
We are proud to support the American Red Cross and encourage our employees and distributors to participate by donating blood. It is a simple process with a very rewarding outcome — the possibility to make a positive, life-changing impact for people in need.
This is the time to take care of one another. You can make an appointment to donate blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App or visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
Kent L. BradleyM.D., MBA, MPH – Chief Health and Nutrition Officer
Dr. Kent Bradley is the chief health and nutrition officer for Herbalife Nutrition. He is responsible for all nutrition and product training. Dr. Bradley is a retired Army colonel, graduate of the United States Military Academy. He holds a master’s in public health from the University of Minnesota, an Executive MBA from the University of Denver and a medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. He is board certified in public health and preventive medicine and holds a certificate in corporate governance from INSEAD. An avid enthusiast for staying active through a mix of team sports and outdoor activities, Dr. Bradley’s favorite products include Herbalife24® Rebuild Strength and Herbalifeline®.