It is In Your Blood: Save a Life

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. People who have suffered a trauma, are undergoing surgery, battling cancer, or managing a chronic illness are dependent on blood donations. The simple act of making one blood donation can save up to three lives.

However, only 3% of age-eligible people donate blood every year. While it is obvious that blood donations aid the patients who need them, you as a donor also benefit in several ways:

• Pre-donation screenings can identify potential health problems. – Every potential donor receives check-ups for blood pressure, iron count and cholesterol, as well as a hemoglobin review. Your blood is also screened for diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis and West Nile Virus. Some potential donors have discovered they have high blood pressure or an arrhythmia that may have otherwise gone undetected.
• Regular blood donation can help lower blood pressure and your iron levels – One study found high body iron stores are believed to increase the risk of heart attack.
• Donors enjoy a sense of “doing good.” By knowing they are helping others and paying it forward, blood donors enjoy a feeling of altruism by helping their fellow man—or woman.

About Blood Types

Most blood types fall into one of the four major groups: A, B, AB, O. The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O. However, some people have rare blood types that fall outside these categories. For example, U-negative and Duffy-negative blood types are unique to the African American community. People with sickle cell disease and these blood types rely on blood donors who are Black when they need a transfusion. This is just one example of why it is so important to  maintain a diverse blood supply. No blood donation is wasted.

When you give blood for the first time, your care team will determine your blood type. If you are found to have a rare one, your donation is especially critical to the vulnerable patients who share your type. Conversely, people with more common blood types can usually help the greatest number of patients in need.

The need for blood is constant and there is no better time than the present to donate. To find a donation center near you, visit redcrossblood.org