Many people worry about giving blood. The idea of going into a clinic setting and being subjected to needles makes them uneasy. But the truth is blood donation is not particularly painful and can save lives.
Whole blood, platelets, and plasma donations can go to people who’ve had surgery, burns, recent trauma, or hemophilia. Plasma can be used to produce vaccines and antibodies for people with suppressed immune systems, such as those in chemotherapy. Your blood is a valuable and life saving fluid.
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.
The needle should not hurt for more than a couple seconds. If you continue feeling discomfort you should tell the staff what is going on. Now the hard part is over. You will be given a piece of foam to squeeze every few seconds so your blood flows at a good rate, but other than that you can just sit back and relax.
Once you are done, the nurse will remove the needle, put a piece of gauze over your inner elbow, and ask you to elevate the arm and maintain pressure. After a short wait you can bring the arm down, the nurse will wrap it, and you will be ready to go. Don’t forget to take your free soda or juice on your way out.
The blood gained from this simple procedure could save up to three lives. Not bad for a half hour’s work. Not to mention some places will give gifts or money in exchange for your donation.
Blood mobiles and blood banks are a great place to make your donations. Most of these centers will have a website to help you find their phone number and address. Hospitals need your donation, so if you qualify find a blood bank near you.
