5 Things You Need To Know Before Donating Blood
Donating your blood may seem intimidating at first, but familiarizing yourself with the process can help ease anxiety and fear.
As someone who is O negative — the blood type most often requested by hospitals — I have made dozens of donations. Type O is always in demand and in great supply because it can be transfused to patients of all blood types, according to the American Red Cross. While approximately 38 percent of the U.S. population is also eligible to donate, only 10 percent actually do. Enter World Blood Donor Day.
The World Health Organization (WHO) holds the campaign every year on June 14 to "thank blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood," as well as to raise awareness surrounding the need for regular donation. Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, which adds up to roughly 36,000 units of red blood cells every day. While nearly 7 million Americans will volunteer each year, the unavailability of blood still leads to deaths and many patients suffering from ill health, WHO reported. And in 2011, WHO found that national blood supplies were based on 100% or almost 100% voluntary unpaid blood donations in 62 countries.
That said, such an altruistic act requires a certain level of precaution and preparation in order to make the donation as successful and painless as possible. Twenty-five percent of us will require a blood transfusion at some point in our lives, and the American Red Cross and other organizations have a few guidelines in place to make sure both donors and their sample are eligible and healthy.
Here's what you need to know.
Donating your blood may seem intimidating at first, but knowing how it works can help you give up one of your ten pints.
As someone who is O negative — the blood type most often requested by hospitals — I have made dozens of donations. Type O is always in demand and in great supply because it can be transfused to patients of all blood types, according to the American Red Cross. While approximately 38 percent of the U.S. population is also eligible to donate, only 10 percent actually do. Enter World Blood Donor Day.
The World Health Organization (WHO) holds the campaign every year on June 14 to "thank blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood," as well as to raise awareness surrounding the need for regular donation. Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, which adds up to roughly 36,000 units of red blood cells every day. While nearly 7 million Americans will volunteer each year, the unavailability of blood still leads to deaths and many patients suffering from ill health, WHO reported. And in 2011, WHO found that national blood supplies were based on 100% or almost 100% voluntary unpaid blood donations in 62 countries.
That said, such an altruistic act requires a certain level of precaution and preparation in order to make the donation as successful and painless as possible. Twenty-five percent of us will require a blood transfusion at some point in our lives, and the American Red Cross and other organizations have a few guidelines in place to make sure both donors and their sample are eligible and healthy.
Here's what you need to know.
Donating your blood may seem intimidating at first, but knowing how it works can help you give up one of your ten pints.
5 Things You Need To Know Before Donating Blood
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