12 good reasons to donate blood
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Donating blood saves lives, simple as that. In fact, one whole blood donation can save as many as three lives. But that’s just one of myriad benefits blood donors get when they roll up their sleeve.
With hospitals across the country feeling the pinch amid the current nationwide blood shortage, we thought we’d offer a little extra incentive. Here are 12 additional good reasons for you to give blood today:
You can burn up to 650 calories donating a pint of blood – no sweating required. Donating blood lowers your iron level, which may help lower the risk of heart disease.You’ll get a mini-physical when you donate. Temperature, blood pressure check, hemoglobin check, cholesterol check and in many areas, COVID-19 antibody testing is done. Your donated blood is tested for harmful pathogens such as Hepatitis B and C. This information is not only important for the blood supply but for your health, too.Those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer depend on donors to help them fight the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.8 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer annually. Many will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.The need for blood is constant. It cannot be made in a lab.Only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Most medications will not prevent you from donating. One in seven hospital patients will need a transfusion. Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the United States.When you donate blood, your body generates new blood. It takes about 24 hours to replace the plasma and 4-6 weeks to replace the red blood cells from your donation.Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. In addition to helping patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries, newborns are often transfused with O negative blood that is tested as CMV negative. This helps prevent Cytomegalovirus infections in this vulnerable population.Dude! Free T-shirt!