The Red Cross Will Test Your Blood Sugar for Free—Here’s How

Things you look forward to in March: later daylight, shamrock shakes, and…blood donation? It’s worth considering, because this year you have the chance to check in on your health when you give blood.

The American Red Cross says every two seconds in the U.S., someone needs a donation of blood or platelets. They report that this year they’ve seen a worse winter shortage than years past because of the severe weather in many parts of the country.

So, here’s a healthy little carrot: Throughout the month of March, the American Red Cross will test A1C levels on “all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations.” A1C testing, commonly used to help diagnose Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, measures average blood sugar level from the past two to three months.

Announced February 25, the initiative aims to offer “valuable information to maintain [blood donors’] health and well-being.” With close to 40 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes and a near-9 million undiagnosed, untreated Type 2 diabetes can result in major health complications, including heart or kidney disease, stroke, or death. Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer for the American Red Cross, says the organization has “a unique ability to raise awareness about the devastating impacts of chronic illness and disease, while advancing and supporting the health of our communities.”

After a successful donation is made, donors will receive their A1C test results in either the Red Cross Blood Donor app or online donor portal one to two weeks later. Donors are then encouraged to talk with their healthcare team if their A1C level result is elevated, but results will not be sent directly to doctors.

Per the Cleveland Clinic, there are several risk factors for both prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, including:

• Family history (parent or sibling) of Type 2 diabetes
• Being 45 or older
• Being physically active less than three times per week
• Having gestational diabetes while pregnant
• Having a BMI greater than 25

The American Red Cross also announced that all individuals who give blood, platelets, or plasma anytime from March 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card via email. You can go to RedCrossBlood.org/March for more information on the blood sugar testing or gift card giveaways in March. Interested donors can also visit the American Red Cross’s website to learn more about donating blood, including how to find and make an appointment near you.

For health insights delivered daily, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

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