I’m not going to lie, donating blood and plasma was never something that I even cared about until I needed it. Funny how that works huh. I went through a life threatening bacterial infection, along with anemia and a huge lupus flareup last year, all at the same time, and I went through countless blood transfusions and 8 plasma exchanges( plasmapheresis). It definitely saved my life and so I honestly wanted to know where did the blood and plasma come from. Here’s the research I’ve found:
So why should you even care about donating blood?
- According to the World Health Organization, 79 countries collect more than 90% of their blood supply from voluntary unpaid donations, this includes 62 countries with 100% (or more than 99%) of their blood supply from voluntary unpaid blood donors.
- 1 donation (470 ml/ 1 pint) can save up to 3-4 lives
- Every 2 seconds someone in the USA needs blood
- More than 38,000 blood donations are needed everyday
- 1 million people are diagnosed with cancer for the very first time. Most blood is used for chemotherapy patients. This is usually because many of them become anemic.
- The blood is actually broken down into red blood cells, cryo, platelets and plasma.
- 38% of Americans are able to donate, but only 2% actually donate.
Where can you donate blood and plasma?
Red Cross, and Hospitals. Just google blood donation centers, hospitals near me or plasma donation centers. Obviously, use your best judgement to where you donate blood and plasma.
How often can you donate?
Blood can be donated every 56 days. So please, donate as often as you can.
The highest demand for donations is usually during the holiday seasons and summer. This is especially difficult during summer times, because depending on where you travel, you may have to wait another 3-6 months to donate.
Who can donate? Who cannot donate?
- It depends on where you’re donating but usually it’s between the ages of 18-65. The red cross accepts those ages 17 and over without an upper age limit.
- Illness – People who have fever, productive cough, or are feeling generally well shouldn’t donate. This includes those who are receiving antibiotics for active infections.
- Medical conditions – the Red Cross has 23 conditions that they consider when screening blood donors. Certain chronic illnesses, such as hepatitis and HIV automatically disqualify someone from donating.
- Low iron, or hemoglobin levels usually disqualify someone from being able to donate whole bloods or platelets.
- Certain medications – check with your doctor.
Click here for full blood donor eligibility criteria for the Red Cross.
So here‘s the thing,
We never think about things like blood or let alone plasma, until we ourselves experience it and need it, or if someone we love does. That was exactly how I was, I may have donated blood like one time in my life. And I now see how important and life saving it is. If you’re able to, and feel moved to, please go donate!
The Red Cross just announced in October that there is a huge blood donation shortage right now. I’m unable to donate currently, but if and when I can donate, I will definitely choose to do that. This is an easy way to give back in the holiday season, and honestly anytime and regularly. If you really want to go above and beyond, you can even organize a blood drive.
Give back and pass it forward, please feel free to also share this post. So to whoever, donated their blood and plasma to me, there are not enough ways to say thank you. Now go donate!!
