why we 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

What conditions disqualify you from 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 …

What are the advantages and disadvantages of donating blood?

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 are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?

Donate Now. Save Lives. Blood can be broken down into three components, and each one saves lives: Red blood cells are used to treat cancer, surgery, and trauma patients. Plasma often is needed to replace fluids in burn and trauma patients. Platelets help cancer and bone marrow transplant patients recover. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center needs 1,000 donations every …

What are the health benefits of giving blood?

Jun 25, 2021 · Red blood cells are filled with hemoglobin and carry oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our bodies, Platelets help blood to clot when injuries occur, and; Plasma provides plasma proteins and coagulation factors to the different parts of the body that needs them. Donating blood replenishes the body’s ability to perform these needed tasks.

Why is donating blood so important?

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.

What are the benefits of donating blood give 3 benefits?

Reduce harmful iron stores. According to the Mayo Clinic, one in every 200 people in the U.S. is affected by a condition called hemochromatosis that causes an iron overload. ... Preserve cardiovascular health. ... Reduce the risk cancer. ... Burn calories. ... Free blood analysis. ... Give you a sense of pride.Jan 16, 2017

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

Who Cannot donate blood?

You must be in good health at the time you donate. You cannot donate if you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection. If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure.

Does donating blood decrease immunity?

Does giving blood lower your immune system? Giving blood reduces the red blood cells and may lead to a temporary drop in certain immune cells such as circulating serum protein and antibodies.

Why you should donate?

You feel good. The act of helping others, donating to charity, or volunteering your time, will give you an improved sense of wellbeing. The knowledge that you've sacrificed time and/or money in order to help others in need or create positive change in the world is a beautiful thing.

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.

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 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.

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.

What is plasma donation?

Plasma Donation: During a plasma donation, called plasmapheresis, blood is drawn from one arm and sent to the centrifuge that separates out the plasma. The red blood cells and platelets are then returned to you in the same arm.

What is the CMV virus?

CMV is known as the cytomegalovirus. CMV is a flu-like virus to which an estimated 85% of adults in the United States will be exposed by the age of 40. This means that the majority of adults in the United States carry CMV antibodies. Unfortunately, these antibodies might pose a danger to particularly vulnerable patients.

How many lives can you save with a blood donation?

Saving up to 3 lives with each donation because a whole blood donation can be divided into three components—plasma, platelets and red blood cells. Receiving a text message when your donation is on its way to a local health care facility to save lives.

Is there a substitute for blood?

There is no substitute for blood - your donation saves lives. Donate Now. Save Lives. Blood can be broken down into three components, and each one saves lives: Red blood cells are used to treat cancer, surgery, and trauma patients. Plasma often is needed to replace fluids in burn and trauma patients. Platelets help cancer and bone marrow transplant ...

How often can I donate blood?

Almost anyone can give blood. Each country or region has its own specific criteria. In general, all healthy adults can donate blood several times a year. The only restrictions concern age, weight, foreign travel in the last few months or years, specific medical conditions, and medication.

What is the process of giving blood?

This means that all the components of blood—red blood cells, plasma, and platelets—are collected simultaneously and then separated, as needed, in the laboratory.

When is World Blood Day?

Every year, June 14 marks World Blood Donor Day, which aims to raise awareness of the need for blood as well as for adequate infrastructure to facilitate blood collection and transfusion worldwide. Discover 20 good reasons to take a few moments, whether once or several times a year, to make a small gesture that can save many lives.

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.