why do people donate blood

Why Give Blood

• Blood is needed every two seconds.
• About one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood.
• Blood is always needed for treatment of accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs and surgery patients.
• Blood cannot be manufactured.

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Full Answer

Why should I donate blood instead selling it?

May 19, 2021 · Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. This lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. The need for blood is constant. But only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly.

What conditions disqualify you from donating blood?

Jun 10, 2020 · Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma – which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of donating blood?

It Saves Lives. Because over 90% of people who are eligible to donate do not, Baker says there’s always a need for donors. “Life-saving blood components can support recovery from injuries or disease,” Baker says. “A single blood donation can give one to four patients a better outcome, a chance at survival.”.

Why you should consider donating blood?

What is a reason to donate blood?

Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. This lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. The need for blood is constant. But only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly.May 19, 2021

Why you should not donate blood?

Other reasons you may not be able to donate blood: You've experienced hepatitis or jaundice in the last year. You've had certain types of cancer, or are being treated for cancer. Blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease disqualify you from donating, to protect both donor and recipient.Jan 8, 2018

What are side effects of donating blood?

The side effects of donating blood include nausea and dizziness and fainting in some cases. You may develop a raised bump or experience continued bleeding and bruising at the needle site too. Some people might experience pain and physical weakness after donating blood.

What are the pros and cons of donating blood?

Top 10 Blood Donation Pros & Cons – Summary ListBlood Donation ProsBlood Donation ConsDonating blood can save livesBlood donation may make you feel dizzyYou can feed your altruistic natureYou may feel weekHealth benefits related to blood donationYou stress your body7 more rows

Does your body get used to donating blood?

When you give blood you lose red cells and the body needs to make more to replace them. Special cells in the kidneys, called peritubular cells, sense that the level of oxygen in the blood has decreased (due to the loss of red cells) and start secreting a protein called erythropoietin.

What are the disadvantages of donating blood?

Here's a closer look at the disadvantages to consider before donating blood.Bruising. When you donate blood, you sit or lie on a reclining chair with your arm extended on an armrest. ... Continued bleeding. ... Dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea. ... Pain. ... Physical weakness. ... Time-consuming. ... But donating blood can do a lot of good.

Does donating blood make you lose weight?

Giving blood can give your weight loss goals a boost—you can burn about 650 calories every time you donate a pint, according to the University of California-San Diego. That's about the same as jumping rope for 50 minutes. A big calorie burn shouldn't be your main reason for donating blood, but it sure is a nice perk.Dec 19, 2019

Why do they check your elbows when donating plasma?

Because arteries have higher blood pressure than veins, a puncture can lead to bleeding into the arm tissues around the puncture site. The signs of an arterial puncture include a faster blood flow and lighter-than-usual color of blood running through the tubes to the machine collecting your plasma.

It Is An Honorable Act

First of all, it is an awesome and honorable activity, so man up and donate blood. Go to your local clinic and do it! There’s nothing to be afraid of, and you may save a life. Again, it is a very good thing to do, and there is always a very kind and very professional medical staff that’s around you, so don’t worry if you begin to feel faint.

The Physical Benefits

Now, from human physiology, we know that exercising, working out, or lifting weights is one of the best ways to prevent aging, and that is because once you tear down muscles, new muscles and new body tissue have to be rebuilt. An identical situation happens when you give blood.

Tips For Staying Healthy When Donating

Another subject I wanted to touch base on is low iron. Sometimes, the staff will check your blood before donating and tell you that your iron is too low and that you have to take a certain amount of time before you donate again.

How old do you have to be to give blood?

You probably can. While donors must be at least 17 in most states, there’s no upper age limit for giving blood as long as you are well with no restriction or limitation to your activities. Anne Eder, M.D., executive medical officer of the American Red Cross, says she’s seen people in their 80s giving blood.

Can you donate blood to cancer patients?

Cancer patients are among the most common recipients of blood transfusions. But donations are also used daily for surgery patients, accident victims, organ transplant recipients and burn patients — young and old. 2. You probably can. While donors must be at least 17 in most states, there’s no upper age limit for giving blood ...

What is the role of blood donors?

Blood donors play a vital role in the healthcare of patients in your community . 37% of the population is eligible to donate blood, yet only 5% actually do. With every blood donation, you are providing strength, hope and courage to patients and their families in your local hospitals. View more reasons to donate here.

Why is blood needed?

In fact, every two seconds of every day, someone needs blood. Since blood cannot be manufactured outside the body and has a limited shelf life, the supply must constantly be replenished by generous blood donors.