Donating blood can be intimidating. Many of us are concerned about needles and potential risks of giving blood. If you look more closely, however, you will see that not only is donating blood, plasma, and platelets safe and relatively painless, it is also a great thing to do for your community.
Many different places use blood products to improve the length and quality of life for others. Each of these components can be used for surgeries, traumas, burns, hemophilia, and chemotherapy. In addition, plasma can be used to form vaccines and help those who have a lowered immune system.
Not everyone can donate. If you have certain risk factors, such as recent tattoos or piercings or exposure to countries where malaria is prevalent, you will not be able to give. A questionnaire given before you donate will list all the potential disqualifications to be sure the donation is safe both for you and the person who will eventually get your blood.
When you have completed the form the nurse will ask you several more questions, take your temperature, and take a sample of your blood to test your iron levels. These precautions are to ensure you are healthy enough to give blood without any adverse effects.
Once you have been cleared to donate, you will be asked to sit in a reclined chair with the arm you wish to donate from on the arm rest. Your inner elbow will be cleaned with iodine and a tourniquet will be placed on your upper arm. At this point the nurse may suggest you look away and will insert the needle in a vein.
All that's left to do is sit back and let your heart do the work. You may be asked to squeeze a foam ball to speed the process along. If at any point you start to feel woozy, tell some one and they will help you.
After you have donated the prescribed amount the needle will be removed and your arm bandaged. You should leave these bandages on for several hours after you donate. Be sure to eat and drink plenty for the rest of the day, including the free soda you should get from the center.
Your donation could be used to save three lives, and may help you with incentives such as t-shirts, gift cards, or cash. Blood donation is well worth the small amount of time and discomfort it may cause.
If you're looking to find a place to donate blood, check your local blood bank. You can also find mobile donation buses in many locations, such as in front of businesses or on college campuses. Blood shortages happen frequently, so your donation may provide needed relief to your local hospitals.
Many different places use blood products to improve the length and quality of life for others. Each of these components can be used for surgeries, traumas, burns, hemophilia, and chemotherapy. In addition, plasma can be used to form vaccines and help those who have a lowered immune system.
Not everyone can donate. If you have certain risk factors, such as recent tattoos or piercings or exposure to countries where malaria is prevalent, you will not be able to give. A questionnaire given before you donate will list all the potential disqualifications to be sure the donation is safe both for you and the person who will eventually get your blood.
When you have completed the form the nurse will ask you several more questions, take your temperature, and take a sample of your blood to test your iron levels. These precautions are to ensure you are healthy enough to give blood without any adverse effects.
Once you have been cleared to donate, you will be asked to sit in a reclined chair with the arm you wish to donate from on the arm rest. Your inner elbow will be cleaned with iodine and a tourniquet will be placed on your upper arm. At this point the nurse may suggest you look away and will insert the needle in a vein.
All that's left to do is sit back and let your heart do the work. You may be asked to squeeze a foam ball to speed the process along. If at any point you start to feel woozy, tell some one and they will help you.
After you have donated the prescribed amount the needle will be removed and your arm bandaged. You should leave these bandages on for several hours after you donate. Be sure to eat and drink plenty for the rest of the day, including the free soda you should get from the center.
Your donation could be used to save three lives, and may help you with incentives such as t-shirts, gift cards, or cash. Blood donation is well worth the small amount of time and discomfort it may cause.
If you're looking to find a place to donate blood, check your local blood bank. You can also find mobile donation buses in many locations, such as in front of businesses or on college campuses. Blood shortages happen frequently, so your donation may provide needed relief to your local hospitals.
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