By Laura Alexander*
What could truly be a fatal misconception about the value of those over 65 may also be the reason for some unnecessary deaths in Panama’s hospitals.

There is a law which says that blood donors must be between the ages of 18 and 65 and body weight over 110/120 pounds; but it is easier for those over 65 to donate than one might think.
This law can be over-ruled by what is called "Doctor Criteria" to which all potential 65-plus donors are subject. While this criteria is based on medical history and health of the donor, it is a simple list of questions along with a quick visual review performed on-site by the Blood Unit’s doctor. The visual review includes simple tests such as checking blood pressure, checking heart rate, and a listen to the lungs. Both the questions and the tests can be completed in less than 25 minutes.
Documentation is not required unless the examining physician feels results do not adequately match physical appearance and/or basic testing. Following this, your sleeve is rolled up and you are on your way to saving a life. Now knowing this, wouldn't you agree that the active healthy lifestyle of many retirees regularly attending golf courses, gyms, aerobics, tennis and more suggest those 65+ should be, could be, an important factor in the saving of lives as well?

As with all donors, there is a preliminary blood test to determine such things as the level of hemoglobin in your blood, then the donation is received along with 2 small vials to use for quality testing. From prick to finish; no more than 10 minutes has passed.
Total - 35 minutes out of your time to save a life; simple as that.
Not all hospitals in Panama are able to accept blood, however. We have found two hospitals which not only have the facilities, but also accept, and are presently IN NEED OF donors (whether 18 to 65 or 65+). Hospital del Niño (the Children’s Hospital), and Hospital Santo Tomas; both on Avenida Balboa.
Hospital del Niño’s Blood Bank is on the hospital’s third floor. Hours of operation:
Monday-Thursday: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Friday: 9:00am to 6:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
Hospital Santo Tomas’s Blood Unit is on PB. Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00am to 3:00 pm
All donors are accepted on a drop-in basis only; appointments are not even taken at either hospital. Priority is given to those willing and able to donate to the general blood bank (providing Blood For Everyone).
We hope you now realize you can roll up that golf sleeve, donate, and save a life. As the old saying goes…it just might be your own!