BLOG 514 DONATING BLOOD
One of the easiest ways you can volunteer to help others is
by donating your blood. In fact, according to the American Red Cross, your
donation can save up to three lives. In the U.S., someone is need of blood
every two seconds. With a need that high, no wonder we hear of blood drives and
donating events. Giving to others always feels good, and donating blood has its
own way of being beneficial to the doner as well. It is completely safe when
performed properly and with the correct equipment. You can safely donate up to
3 times per year.
Donating blood can help you feel better mentally and
physically. Giving to others can reduce stress. It has also been found that
donating blood can contribute to lowering the risk of heart attack and heart
disease. This is because regularly donating can lower iron stores. This sounds
counter intuitive, but lower iron stores reduce the risk of heart attack. Some
research suggests donating can also lower blood pressure.
Not everyone is qualified to donate because there can be
several risk factors. People with HIV, hepatitis B or C, if you have syphilis,
or having West Nile virus, are all reasons you would not be able to donate. Some people get intimidated or a little scared
when considering donating. This is because you might get dizzy, lightheaded, feel
arm pain, and/or feel nauseous. Some people do have hemophobia so the site and
setting of being around or near blood can be a major deterrent. About 500 ml of
blood is taken during a standard donation. After being taken, the blood gets separated
into plasma, red cells, and platelets.
We never know when life can present an emergency or
disaster. People can lose blood and need more due to major blood loss during
surgeries, having severe anemia, having sickle cell disease, form gastrointestinal
bleeds, and even from loss of blood during childbirth. Donating blood is an
easy, safe, fast way to help save lives. Just a little bit goes a long way and
the more people who do it, the more there is to utilize upon demand.
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