where does blood go when you donate it

Your blood’s journey begins when a staff person or volunteer picks it up from your donation location and delivers it to our “Components Laboratory.” Once there, the components staff has an eight hour window to make sure the blood is properly processed and stored. What are components? Our blood contains four components: platelets plasma red cells

Full Answer

Where can I give Blood locally?

Nearly a full pint of fresh blood is produced weekly, and almost all of it comes from the most unlikely of places — inside your own bones. Bone Marrow . Bone marrow is the key, with most of the blood being produced in “…the long bones in the arms, legs, back, and sternum. Bone marrow has yellow marrow, which contains fat, and red marrow, which contains hematopoietic (blood …

What are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?

The procedure to give blood is pretty similar across blood centers: go in, do a quick physical, and fill out a bunch of paperwork. Tucked into that paperwork is a section where donors give consent ...

What are the steps to donating blood?

Aug 09, 2019 · Short-term impact on the body when donating blood In the days after a donation, red cells are replaced at an astounding rate. Bone marrow has received the message that overall oxygen levels are lower (due to the loss of red cells) and has increased the output of stem cells, which eventually become either red cells, white cells, or platelets.

What conditions disqualify you from donating blood?

Mar 03, 2017 · Where does unused blood go? The main challenge in blood donation is shelf life: Blood can last for 42 days when stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius; platelets can last ...

Does donated blood ever go to waste?

More than 200 000 units of whole blood had to be thrown away after Americans donated 500 000 extra units in September and October. Donated blood is discarded if it remains unused after 42 days.

How is donated blood discarded?

Blood components that expire are utilized as research material or treated as medical waste and incinerated. Like plasma, blood can be frozen and stored for up to ten years, but experts agree that this is a less than ideal way of preserving blood.Mar 3, 2017

Why can't family members donate blood to each other?

Family blood donation is generally discouraged as they are often first time or infrequent donors and do not have a safety history established. Additionally, mothers may have antibodies that react against RBC, leukocyte, platelet, or HLA antigens expressed on neonatal cells.

Does donating blood really save lives?

Just 1 donation can save up to 3 lives. The average red blood cell transfusion is 3 pints (or 3 whole-blood donations). More than 1 million people every year are diagnosed with cancer for the first time.

Which bone contains the most blood?

Bone marrow is the key, with most of the blood being produced in “…the long bones in the arms, legs, back, and sternum. Bone marrow has yellow marrow, which contains fat, and red marrow, which contains hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells.” Wanda Lockwood - Which Part of the Body Makes Blood

Who is Paul Ramey?

Paul Ramey is a OneBlood Graphic Designer, as well as a published author ( Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire) and music recording artist ( Nothing On Earth ). Paul is very proud to be part of OneBlood’s lifesaving team.

The Blood Donation Process

The blood donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average.

Your Donation

If you’re donating whole blood, we’ll cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand new sterile needle for the blood draw. (This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds.)

What is blood donation?

Blood donation is a lifesaving gift and a beneficial procedure, for both recipient and donor. What happens to your body when you donate blood?

Why do people donate blood?

This may be partly because donating blood helps blood flow, giving it a lower viscosity (resistance) and thus making it less damaging to blood vessels. There are other ways that donating blood impacts your heart as well. Blood donation also helps regulate iron levels in the body.

How to prepare for blood donation?

To minimize any adverse reactions, it is important to prepare for your blood donation by eating an iron-rich meal and drinking plenty of fluids. You will also want to replace fluids immediately after donating, and to keep the body well-nourished. As levels return to normal, any discomfort subsides. Long-term benefits to your body ...

Why is blood donation important?

Blood donation also helps regulate iron levels in the body. Too much iron can be damaging to blood vessels, and a regular decrease of iron-rich blood and subsequent replenishment due to blood donation can lead to a more beneficial lower iron level. Men tend to store more iron in their bodies than women, which is why iron deficiency is rare in men.

Who is Paul Ramey?

Paul Ramey is a OneBlood Graphic Designer, as well as a published author ( Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire) and music recording artist ( Nothing On Earth ). Paul is very proud to be part of OneBlood’s lifesaving team.

Is blood donation good for you?

Long-term benefits to your body when you donate blood. Studies reveal many possible benefits of regular blood donation. According to the American Journal of Epidemiology, 88% of blood donors are less likely to suffer a heart attack.

Remind me how blood works, again?

Adults carry around 10 pints of blood in their bodies, but blood banks only accept one pint per volunteer during donation. Most volunteers donate “whole blood,” which is then broken down into three main components: Red cells, plasma and platelets.

Where does unused blood go?

The main challenge in blood donation is shelf life: Blood can last for 42 days when stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 6 degrees Celsius; platelets can last for five days, provided they are stored in platelet agitators, which control for temperature; plasma is frozen and can last for an entire year.

How your blood type affects your donation

It’s understandable that blood donors would take issue with the idea that their generous contributions are going to waste. However, blood inventory fluctuates, so the best way to prevent a blood surplus is to ask a local Red Cross chapter or to look for areas that advertise a specific blood shortage.

Why do people donate blood?

Donated blood helps meet many medical needs, including those of people who have lost blood due to trauma, an organ transplant or other major surgery. There is no substitute for human blood — all transfusions use blood from a donor. And the inventory of donated blood must be constantly replenished.

How long does it take to donate blood?

Whole blood donation takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Apheresis takes about 1 1/2 to two hours. Double red cell donation takes about 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation. At Mayo Clinic donor centers, you'll have access to wireless internet, a television and movies during the donation process.

How long are platelets good for?

Platelets from a whole blood donation or apheresis are good for only five days. Red cells from a whole blood donation are good for 42 days under refrigeration.

How often can you donate plasma?

Plasma donors may donate as often as every 28 days. Platelet donors may donate as often as every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period. Double red cell donors may donate as often as every 168 days.

How long after a positive test can you donate blood?

The Food and Drug Administration suggests waiting to donate blood for at least 14 days after a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 without symptoms or for at least 14 days after symptoms of COVID-19 have completely cleared up.

Can you faint after blood donation?

Staff members are skilled at making the experience as smooth as possible. It may help to not watch the needle as it is inserted, and you don't have to see the blood.

Why do people donate blood?

There are also potential benefits for people who regularly donate blood: Lower iron levels in blood. This is a plus if your iron levels are too high. Donating blood removes some red blood cells, which carry iron throughout your body. Better cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

How long does it take to donate blood?

Donation. Refreshments. While the whole process, from the time you get to the facility to the time you leave, can take about an hour, the actual donation itself may take as little as 8-10 minutes.

How long after blood donation can you drink?

There aren’t any lasting side effects, but you may temporarily: Need to hydrate. Drink more non-alcoholic beverages for 24-48 hours after you donate blood.

Can you donate blood to a tattoo?

Tattoos, in most states, aren’t a barrier to giving blood, provided that the tattoo artist followed good safety practices (like using sterile needles and not reusing ink). A few states may require a waiting period between when you get a tattoo and when you donate blood, but in general, it’s not an issue. 3. Donation.