A Good Thing To Do
It is a good time to consider donating blood. If you were in an emergency situation requiring a blood transfusion, you would expect the hospital to have the blood you need. But where does that blood come from?
In order to have blood when people need it, hospitals and medical facilities rely on blood donations.
Although blood centers try to keep an adequate supply of blood on hand, there’s always a risk that supply won’t meet demand. That’s why it’s important to donate blood if you’re eligible. Just one donation could help save up to three lives, reports the American Red Cross.
Who can donate?
Generally, if you’re at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are healthy enough to perform normal activities, you can probably donate blood. To make sure that you’re eligible to donate, staff at the donor center will ask you some questions about your medical history. Your answers will be completely confidential.
What to expect
You can expect the whole process—from arriving at the donation center to the time you leave—to take about an hour. When you first arrive you’ll sign in—don’t forget to bring a valid ID—and you’ll be asked to read information about blood donation and to complete a health information form.
Next, you will undergo a mini-physical. You’ll answer some basic questions about your health history, and you’ll have your temperature, iron level, blood pressure and pulse checked.
Once it’s determined that you’re healthy enough to donate, your arm will be cleaned, and a needle will be inserted into your arm to draw blood. It usually takes about 10 minutes for the collection bag to fill with roughly 1 pint of blood. Once the bag is filled, the needle will be removed and your arm will be bandaged.
After you donate, your body needs a few minutes to adjust to the change in fluid levels. You’ll be offered refreshments and time to rest before getting back to your regular activities.
To help make your blood donation experience as pleasant as possible, it is recommended that you take the following steps:
- Before donating, drink extra water, eat iron-rich foods (such as beans or red meat) and get a good night’s sleep.
- On the day you donate, wear a shirt that can be raised above your elbow.
- Avoid heavy lifting for about five hours after you donate.
- Drink plenty of fluids for a day or two after you donate.
To learn more about donating blood, visit
www.givelife.org. To schedule a blood donation at one of Blood Net’s two local Lakeland locations, please visit
www.bloodnetusa.com or call
863-687-8925.