25 Important Things You Should Know About Donating Blood

Posted by , Updated on November 1, 2022

There are a lot of ways that you can help others. You can give money, volunteer, raise awareness, the list goes on. There is one way of helping, however, that you may not have given much thought…giving blood. You may not know this, but next to doctors, hospitals, and equipment, blood is one of the most important things for a functional health system. Unfortunately there are times when blood is in short supply. You may be thinking, can’t they just make more blood? Well, in spite of numerous medical advancements, we still cannot manufacture blood. This means that the only way to get blood is through donations. So, whenever a car crashes somewhere, somebody falls down the stairs, or is injured due to violence, they will most likely need blood in order to survive. This is especially true in the developing world where car crashes, violence, and natural disasters take a high human toll. Organizations like the Red Cross do everything they can to make sure that hospitals and doctors in these places get the blood they need, but they can only do that with the help of people like you. These are 25 important things you should know about donating blood.

25

To get it out of the way, you've probably heard by now that the blood you donate is sold to hospitals

To get it out of the way, you've probably heard by now that the blood you donate is sold to hospitalsSource: wikipedia
24

And that it's a $4.5 billion dollar per year industry

And that it's a $4.5 billion dollar per year industrySource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
23

While this is true, it shouldn't keep you from donating. Why? Every blood donation center has costs, lots of them. It needs to hire staff and fund equipment. Taking blood is expensive. Who do you think paid for your "free" I Donated Blood t-shirt?

While this is true, it shouldn't keep you from donating. Why? Every blood donation center has costs, lots of them. It needs to hire staff and fund equipment. Taking blood is expensive. Who do you think paid for your "free" I Donated Blood t-shirt?Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
22

Besides, your blood is needed. In fact, every two seconds someone in the US needs blood

Besides, your blood is needed. In fact, every two seconds someone in the US needs bloodSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
21

Just one pint of your blood can save up to 3 lives

Just one pint of your blood can save up to 3 livesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
20

After he needed 13 liters of blood during a surgery when he was 13, James Harrison vowed to donate blood when he turned 17

After he needed 13 liters of blood during a surgery when he was 13, James Harrison vowed to donate blood when he turned 17Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
19

It was soon discovered that his blood contained a rare antigen that cured Rhesus disease

It was soon discovered that his blood contained a rare antigen that cured Rhesus diseaseSource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
18

Since then he has donated more than 1,000 times and saved an estimated 2 million unborn babies from the disease

Since then he has donated more than 1,000 times and saved an estimated 2 million unborn babies from the diseaseSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
17

The demand for blood transfusions is growing faster than the number of donations

The demand for blood transfusions is growing faster than the number of donationsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
16

Although 60% of the US population is eligible for donating blood, only 5% does

Although 60% of the US population is eligible for donating blood, only 5% doesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
15

Although coconut water can temporarily substitute blood plasma, blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come from donors.

Although coconut water can temporarily substitute blood plasma, blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come from donors.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
14

There are usually shortages of all blood types during summer and winter holidays

There are usually shortages of all blood types during summer and winter holidaysSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
13

The most needed blood type is "O"

The most needed blood type is "O"Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
12

To donate, you must generally be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 50 kg (110 pounds) and be in good health

To donate, you must generally be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 50 kg (110 pounds) and be in good healthSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
11

Sometimes things like traveling abroad or having tattoos can make you ineligible due to the possibility of contamination

Sometimes things like traveling abroad or having tattoos can make you ineligible do to the possibility of contaminationSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
10

An average adult has roughly 10-12 pints of blood in their body. Only about 1 pint is given during the donation.

An average adult has roughly 10-12 pints of blood in their body. Only about 1 pint is given during the donation.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
9

Back to the costs of donating blood - all blood has to be tested for HIV, Hepatitis, and other diseases before it can be released to hospitals

Back to the costs of donating blood - all blood has to be tested for HIV, Hepatitis, and other diseases before it can be released to hospitalsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
8

This process is usually significantly more expensive in coastal states (of the US) due to higher costs (staffing, etc)

This process is usually significantly more expensive in coastal states (of the US) due to higher costs (staffing, etc)Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
7

You can donate blood every 56 days

You can donate blood every 56 daysSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
6

This means that if you started donating around the age of 17 and continue donating every time you become eligible you would have donated nearly 50 gallons of blood

This means that if you started donating around the age of 17 and continue donating every time you become eligible you would have donated nearly 50 gallons of bloodSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
5

That would save roughly 1,000 lives

That would save roughly 1,000 livesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
4

People with blood type O- are universal donors and their blood can be given to recipients of any other type of blood

People with blood type O- are universal donors and their blood can be given to recipients of any other type of bloodSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
3

Blood type O- is often used in emergencies before the patients blood type has been determined

Blood type O- is often used in emergencies before the patients blood type has been determinedSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
2

It is also used with newborns who need blood

It is also used with newborns who need bloodSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
1

Only 7% of Americans have blood type O-

Only 7% of Americans have blood type O-Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia


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