What To Expect When Donating Blood

Blood circulates throughout the entire body and helps to maintain life. Oxygen, nutrients, heat, hormones, and electrolytes are transported to body tissues by the blood, and it is also responsible for carrying waste and carbon dioxide away from tissues. Blood is comprised of platelets, plasma, white blood cells, and red blood cells. In the United States, more than twenty million transfusions of donated blood are given every year. Blood transfusions are often required in cases where patients have experienced trauma such as a car accident or a severe injury, and they are sometimes needed for individuals who are giving birth or having major surgery. In fact, one out of every seven hospital patients will need a blood transfusion, and regular transfusions may be required for patients with conditions such as anemia, cancer, and kidney disease. Since blood cannot be stored for a long time, an active, large donor pool is required to maintain a sufficient blood supply for transfusions.

This guide outlines the importance of donating blood as well as how to prepare for the donation, what to expect during the donation, and what happens after the donation.

Why Donate Blood

In the United States, only thirty-seven percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, and less than ten percent of eligible donors choose to donate. Blood cannot be manufactured, and donation is the only method of providing blood that can be used in transfusions for patients in need. On average, someone in the United States will need a blood transfusion every two seconds, and a single donation could save the lives of up to three individuals. In addition to saving lives and helping the community, blood donation has benefits for the donor's health. Repeated donations can improve the way blood flows through vessels, and studies suggest blood donors may have a significant reduction in their risk of a heart attack. Research also suggests donors could have a lower risk of stroke and certain types of cancer, and they tend to require fewer hospitalizations and have shorter hospital stays than non-donors.

Get the details on the criteria for donating next.