why donate blood is important

American Red Cross: The Importance of Donating Blood

1. A single donation can save three lives. One blood donation provides different blood components that can help up to three different people.
2. Blood cannot be manufactured. ...
3. Blood is needed every two seconds. ...
4. Only 37 percent of the country’s population is able to donate blood.
5. Your friends or family may need your blood someday.

Full Answer

What conditions disqualify you from donating blood?

May 19, 2021 · 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% …

Why should I donate blood instead selling it?

Jun 25, 2021 · Donating blood is a community responsibility because blood banks are local institutions serving local hospitals to meet local needs. Blood is critical for our bodies for many reasons: as you likely know, blood is composed of several components. These cells help support and maintain our body tissue, including:

Why is 50 kg the minimum weight to donate 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.

Why you should consider donating blood?

Mar 21, 2022 · A blood donation is truly an altruistic gift that an individual can give to others in need. In only 45-60 minutes, an eligible individual can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into four individual components that could help save multiple lives. From one unit of blood, red blood cells can be extracted and used to treat patients who lost blood due to trauma …

Why should people donate blood?

Safe blood saves lives. Blood is needed by women with complications during pregnancy and childbirth, children with severe anaemia, often resulting...

What happens when I give blood?

Whether you are a first-time or regular donor, the blood service must make sure that you will come to no harm by donating blood. This includes chec...

How much blood will be taken? Will I have enough?

In most countries, the volume of blood taken is 450 millilitres, less than 10 per cent of your total blood volume (the average adult has 4.5 to 5 l...

Is giving blood safe?

Yes. Remember that you will only be accepted as a blood donor if you are fit and well. Your health and well-being are very important to the blood s...

Does it hurt?

Just squeeze the inside of your elbow tightly and you will get a quick idea of what the needle feels like. All you should feel is a gentle pressure...

Who can give blood, and how often?

The criteria for donor selection varies from country to country, but blood can be donated by most people who are healthy and do not have an infecti...

Who should not give blood?

The blood service is concerned with the welfare of both the blood donor and the recipient (patient). Donors are often asked not to donate blood fo...

Can I give blood after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2?

Consistent with current general global practice, recipients of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that do not contain live virus may donate blood if they feel wel...

How will I feel after giving blood?

You should feel great for selflessly giving someone the gift of blood.

What are the conditions for blood donation?

While some people would like to give blood, they may be uncertain if they are eligible due to their health history or medical conditions. However, there are only a few circumstances that would prohibit you from giving blood, and they include: 1 Recent piercings or tattoos within the last four months. 2 Active cold or flu symptoms at the time of the donation. 3 Recent infection and/or treatments with antibiotics. 4 Body weight under 110 pounds.

How long does it take to draw blood?

Blood will be drawn using a safe, sterile needle, and the process takes about 10 minutes. On average, adults have about 10 pints of blood circulating through their bodies. A typical blood donation is only one pint. Refreshment.

Can you give blood if you have a tattoo?

While some people would like to give blood, they may be uncertain if they are eligible due to their health history or medical conditions. However, there are only a few circumstances that would prohibi t you from giving blood, and they include: Recent piercings or tattoos within the last four months.

How long does it take to donate blood?

A blood donation is truly an altruistic gift that an individual can give to others in need. In only 45-60 minutes, an eligible individual can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into four individual components that could help save multiple lives.

What is plasma used for?

Plasma, the liquid part of blood, is typically administered to patients with requiring treatment to improve blood clotting. Platelets, a third component, clot the blood when cuts or other open wounds occur, and are often used in the treatment of patients with cancer or those undergoing organ transplants.

Why is it important to donate blood?

Donating blood is a vital way to help save lives. Along with helping save lives, there are a number of reasons why donating blood is important. A single donation can save three lives. One blood donation provides different blood components that can help up to three different people. Blood cannot be manufactured.

How often is blood needed?

Blood is needed every two seconds. Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused in the U.S. every year. Only 37 percent of the country’s population is able to donate blood. Your friends or family may need your blood someday.

Why is it important to donate blood?

Donating blood means that someone (or multiple people) somewhere will be getting the help they desperately need.

How often should I donate blood?

Donating blood at least once a year could reduce your risk of a heart attack by 88 percent, according to a study conducted by the American Journal of Epidemiology. * This relates to the iron issue again, says Dr. David Dragoo, healthcare expert at Money Crashers.

What is the most common genetic disease among Caucasians?

Hemochromatosis is a disease that causes an iron overload and is labeled as the most common genetic disease among Caucasians by the Mayo Clinic. A committed blood donor herself, Patenaude recommends donation as a way to reduce the body’s extra iron stores.

How many red blood cells are needed in the US?

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Every day, roughly 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the U.S., the Red Cross reports. Simply put, that’s a lot of blood. Patients with sickle cell diseases or cancer need blood transfusions throughout their treatments, and a single car accident victim can require up to 100 pints ...

Does blood donation reduce cancer risk?

But research does support a reduced risk of cancer for blood donors with different maladies, one of which is hemochroma tosis.

Is iron overload bad for you?

Another danger of iron overload is the health of your liver. “In recent years, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic expression of metabolic syndrome, has reached epidemic proportions,” reports the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Is blood donation a volunteer?

Donating blood, especially on a regular basis, can be similar to volunteer work. You give of your time (and your literal blood) to help strangers in need. If you go to specific blood donation location each time, you’ll get to know some of the staff who are also dedicating themselves to the cause of saving lives.