why to donate blood

The biggest benefit of blood donation is that it saves lives. Donations are essential for trauma patients and people undergoing a variety of situations, including surgeries, transplants, chronic illnesses, blood disorders including sickle cell disease and hemophilia, preterm birth and cancer.

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Why soldiers should consider donating blood?

Mar 17, 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 I donate blood instead selling it?

May 19, 2021 · Why Blood Donation is Important – and Who Benefits 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.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of donating blood?

Why Give Blood Blood donation is a community responsibility. While you're reading this, a local patient needs 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.

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 benefits of donating blood?

The benefits of giving bloodGiving blood can reveal potential health problems. ... Giving blood can reduce harmful iron stores. ... Giving blood may lower your risk of suffering a heart attack. ... Giving blood may reduce your risk of developing cancer. ... Giving blood can help your liver stay healthy.More items...•Feb 1, 2018

Is it worth it to donate blood?

One blood donation can save up to three lives, according to Dr. DeSimone. People usually donate because it feels good to help others, and altruism and volunteering have been linked to positive health outcomes, including a lower risk for depression and greater longevity.

Why should I donate blood 5 Reasons?

5 reasons to donate bloodYou'll help someone else. ... Every donation makes a difference. ... You get a free health check-up. ... All blood types are needed. ... You may need a blood donation in the future.Jan 21, 2021

How much weight do you lose giving blood?

But when you donate regularly, it gives you the opportunity to save multiple lives. Burning calories. No, blood donation won't become a weight loss fad any time soon. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated.

What happens to your body after you donate blood?

If you're a healthy adult, you can usually donate a pint (about half a liter) of blood without endangering your health. Within a few days of a blood donation, your body replaces the lost fluids. And after two weeks, your body replaces the lost red blood cells.Mar 4, 2021

What are the cons 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.

How many lives are saved by donating blood?

3 livesHere are the facts: 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.

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.

Why is blood important?

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.

Why do people donate plasma?

Plasma is used to help patients with severe burns, cancer or other potentially life-threatening conditions. The Red Cross encourages donors with the AB blood type to donate plasma, as this is the universal plasma donor type.

What is the role of blood transfusions in cancer?

For cancer patients, blood transfusions can act as a resource to implement platelets back into the body after heavy treatments such as chemo or radiation therapy. For cancer patients, blood cells that are made in the bone marrow are often at risk.

Why do people need platelets?

Platelets help your body create clots to stop bleeding. Platelet donations are critical for patients who are fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. The collection process is unique and a bit different than the whole blood donations, both arms are involved.

How many units of plasma can you donate?

One donation provides up to four units of plasma for patients in need. As you can see, blood donations are one of the most important things you can do to help others in need. There is no substitute for blood, and it can’t be manufactured. Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages from all backgrounds.

What percentage of blood is donated to the Red Cross?

The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood cell components to donors. Your blood donations are used for patients in need of surgery, cancer treatment and transfusions for blood loss from traumatic injuries.

How does the apheresis process work?

One arm is used to send blood through the apheresis process using a sterile centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the red blood cells from the platelets. The heavier red cells sink to the bottom during the process. These red blood cells are returned to you through the other arm.