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Read on to discover how giving blood life can benefit you, the donor, and save a life.
Give blood, and you will contribute to the US’s 36,000 units of red blood cells needed daily.
A single donation could help up to three patients.
Some chronic conditions, such as kidney failure, require blood throughout their treatment; the victim of a car accident may need up to 100 pints of blood.
Blood cannot be created artificially. Blood is produced in the human body, and blood transfusions are the most frequent medical intervention. Any of us may need a transfusion in our lives.
Nearly seven million Americans give blood each year. Seven million may sound like a large number, but it is only 3% of those eligible to donate.
Somebody in the USA needs blood every two seconds for chronic or acute conditions.
How will giving blood benefit me?
Your blood can help save lives, but donating blood can also benefit your physical and emotional health!
Perhaps the essential part of blood donation is the sense of self-worth that comes from doing good. That itself can improve your emotional well-being and directly affect your health.
For a moment, let us consider the immediate benefits of donating blood.
Health screening
It makes sense to be sure that you are fit and healthy before you can donate blood. You will receive a free mini-physical to check your vital signs-your, pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, hemoglobin, and iron levels. Regular tests like these can provide insight into your general state of health. If there is any cause for concern, you may not give blood on that occasion.
It is not a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Still, when you donate blood, these checks enable you to track your cardiovascular status regularly, free of charge. When you identify any blood-related health issues early, it can prevent potential life-threatening developments.
Do you know your blood group? If not, a check-up at your local blood donation center will provide you with the details. You may have a rare blood type. Knowing this could be vital if you need surgery or face any condition that requires a transfusion. There is some added satisfaction in knowing that your blood donation is even more precious.
Physiological benefits
Too much iron stored in your cardiovascular system may increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Regular blood donation may be protective against cardiovascular diseases such as angina or heart attack. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3663474/
Similarly, reducing iron in the blood has reduced cancer risk. (Decreased Cancer Risk After Iron Reduction in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: Results From a Randomized Trial | JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute | Oxford Academic )
How to go about donating blood
Your first question should be, “am I eligible?” The answer is probably “yes.”
The minimum age (in most states) is 17, and you must weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper age limit, and some donors continue giving blood in their eighties.
You must explain any medical conditions and medications you have recently been taking.
The easy way to start or discover more is to contact American Red Cross or download their Blood Donor App. You can find details of local blood drives and schedule your first appointment. You can keep up-to-date with special promotions and even discover when your donation was used.
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