There are a couple reasons
we’re talking about blood donation this week. For starters, it’s always a good idea to remind everyone to donate blood. Come check out the new state of the art ER in Coppell, and help save a life while you’re there! Sign up for an afternoon spot in the schedule, here.
We all understand the importance of donating blood, right? For a quick refresher, here’s a few figures from the American Red Cross:
- Every 2 seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion
- One pint of blood (average donation) can save up to three lives
- 5 million patients will need blood every year
- Only 38% of the population is eligible to give blood, less than 10% actually do
Blood cannot be manufactured, yet—it can only come from generous volunteer donors. In fact, if you began donating blood at age 17 and donated every 56 days until you reached 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of blood, potentially helping save more than 1,000 lives.
The process
Donating blood is an easy, three-step process.
Prepping for donation
Hydrate: On the day of your donations, be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
Wear something comfortable: Remember you’re going to be rolling your sleeves up.
Boost your iron, if possible: In the weeks prior to your donation, try to include iron-rich foods in your diet.
Bring: A list of medications you may be taking, your ID, and a friend to tagalong—so you can both enjoy the gratification of giving blood.
At the blood drive (or clinic)
Paperwork: Reviewing basic eligibility requirements and present ID.
Health history and mini-physical: Answer a few confidential screening questions and get your blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin levels checked.
The donation: The actual donation takes about 8-10 minutes, while certain types of donation can take up to 2 hours (platelets, red cells or plasma)
Rest and recharge: Enjoy a snack and drink to restore your energy and leave the area within 15 minutes feeling instant gratification knowing that you’ve helped save lives.
After Donating
Keep drinking fluids
Avoid exercise or heavy lifting that day
Encourage others to donate
Eligibility
If you’ve been deferred from donating blood and still want to help, the American Red Cross has a list of temporary and permanent options to consider.