The Surprising Benefits of Donating Blood
No, I am not a vampire trying to sell you on.
There are few trips that make me feel quite as good as going to donate blood.
As someone who works from home and therefore spends most of their time between four walls, I love that I get to spend my day out in the sunlight (we get the day off here in Romania). Fresh air invigorates me and I enjoy going on walks.
The place where I go donate is absolutely lovely. Well, the building’s old, but everyone who works there is extremely cheerful and always seems to be in a good mood, which never fails to lift my spirits.
People who work in the health industry are usually positive and wish to make life brighter for everyone else.
Whenever I decide to go donate, I try to express those intentions even more. I’ll be smiling, laughing, and greeting everyone, having the time of my life doing such a simple, yet benevolent act.
Most people I know — including my father — are terrified of health professionals, so what may be surprising for many is that I’ve grown to be extremely comfortable around nurses and doctors. They make me feel…welcome and cared for. Not only that, but I also feel a strong sense of admiration for them. I aspire to be like them, in a certain way.
Anyhow, the most important thing about donating blood is that I get to help others. And I wish to inspire more people to go ahead and donate because I have only experienced good things doing it. Someone out there needs it.
Did you know that just one donation can save up to 3 lives?
Every donation is critical and you can make a lifesaving difference.
1. It helps your emotional and physical health
It can:
reduce stress
improve your emotional well-being
benefit your physical health
help get rid of negative feelings
provide a sense of belonging and reduce isolation
2. It’s a free health checkup
Before being allowed to donate, a trained staff member must check your:
pulse
blood pressure
body temperature
hemoglobin levels
Your blood is also tested for several diseases such as:
Blood donation is safe for healthy adults, but some people may feel nauseous, lightheaded, or dizzy after donating. If this happens, it should only last a few minutes.
Make sure to tell staff if the side effects last any longer. They should make sure everything is fine and stay with you until you feel alright.
I have never suffered any side effects.
You need to be 18 or older (depending on where you live, some places will allow you to donate at 17 or even at 16, with parental consent).
You have to weigh at least 110 pounds (50 kg) and be in good health to donate.
You need to provide information about medical conditions and any medications you’re taking. These may affect your eligibility to donate blood.
You must wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood donations and 16 weeks between double red cell donations.
Be well-rested and hydrated.
If you have a tattoo, you can only donate blood if you meet certain criteria. A good rule of thumb is that you may not be able to give blood if your tattoo is less than 3 months old.
You often cannot donate blood for 3 months after getting a piercing, either.
Drink an extra 16 ounces (500 ml) of water before your appointment.
Eat a healthy meal that’s low in fat (I have scrambled eggs with 2 slices of brown bread) before donating.
Wear a short-sleeved shirt or a shirt with sleeves that are easy to roll up.
Let the staff know if you have a preferred arm or vein and if you prefer to sit up or lie down. Listening to music, reading, or talking to someone else can help you relax during the donation process.
The Red Cross recommends avoiding heavy lifting and vigorous exercise after donating (for at least the rest of the day).
If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness afterwards, stop what you’re doing and sit down or lie down until you feel better; avoid performing any activity where fainting may lead to injury for at least 24 hours.
Resources:
I’ve taken a lot of information and facts from here. From my own personal experience, I know Healthline to be a reliable source.
“Healthline's healthcare professionals help ensure that the information we publish is accurate, evidence-based, current, person-centric, and trustworthy.”
See you at the blood donation center!
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