January is Nationwide Blood Donor Month.
Every day, hundreds of individuals throughout the nation want a valuable useful resource: blood. They depend on people who find themselves keen to assist.
For those who give blood, you assist every kind of individuals, together with those that have been in accidents or have been burnt, are getting therapy for most cancers or sickle cell illness, or have acquired an organ transplant or had coronary heart surgical procedure, amongst others.
“Blood can’t be manufactured and may solely come from beneficiant people who roll up a sleeve to donate it,” mentioned Catherine A. Mazzei, M.D., the medical director for the American Purple Cross.
Throughout the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, blood donations dropped drastically. Now, the Purple Cross is working to recruit extra blood donors, particularly throughout the busy vacation season and winter, when donations are inclined to lower.
“Sadly, solely about 3% of the inhabitants provides blood, and of those that do, most solely give a pair instances a yr. By giving blood often, folks may also help stop blood shortages.”
Learn extra about what occurs after you donate blood>>
Enthusiastic about turning into a blood donor? Listed here are the solutions to widespread questions folks ask about giving blood.
How usually are you able to donate blood?
Each 56 days — or as much as six instances a yr.
How a lot blood do you donate?
Round one pint.
How lengthy does it take to donate blood?
It solely takes between eight to 10 minutes to donate a pint, however the entire course of takes round an hour. The method consists of studying types, filling out a well being historical past questionnaire, and having your temperature, blood stress and iron ranges checked.
Are you able to donate blood in the event you take treatment?
Whereas most medicines don’t have an effect on your eligibility to donate blood, some require a ready interval. Yow will discover eligibility info on the Purple Cross web site, or examine with employees members at a blood drive.
Are you able to give blood whereas in your interval?
Sure, however some girls have decrease iron ranges throughout their interval and might want to wait till they rebound to donate.
Are you able to donate blood in the event you’ve had Covid-19?
Sure. You can too donate blood whether or not you’ve been vaccinated or not. Nevertheless, in the event you’re not feeling properly, it is best to reschedule your appointment.
Are you able to donate blood in the event you smoke?
Sure, so long as you meet all different eligibility necessities.
What are platelet donations?
Platelets are one part of blood. When platelets are donated, they’re separated from plasma and purple blood cells, that are then returned to your physique.
You can too donate plasma, which may also help folks with liver illness, burns and different traumas.
What are platelets used for?
Platelets are a key clotting part of blood that assist most cancers sufferers, surgical sufferers and bone marrow transplant recipients.
How lengthy does it take to donate platelets?
Platelet donation can take as much as two and a half hours. Plasma additionally takes roughly the identical period of time to donate.
How usually are you able to donate platelets?
You’ll be able to donate platelets each seven days, as much as a most of 24 instances a yr.
The place are you able to give blood?
To discover a location close to you the place you can provide blood, go to the Purple Cross web site. You can too use their device to seek out upcoming blood drive dates.
Sources
American Purple Cross
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