The human body is a series of complex systems, including the blood circulatory system. We need blood to live, and a blood transfusion can save the life of someone who loses blood, such as through injury, surgery, or a disorder.
A single blood donation can save up to three lives. You may have seen signs from the Red Cross Donate Blood and thought about donating whole blood or another type of blood donation. Find out how you can help others by donating blood to a bank or drive near you.
What to Expect When You Give Blood Donations
A blood donation only takes about 8 to 10 minutes on average. But, you should plan to be at the blood bank or drive for about an hour.
You will need to register at the blood center where you plan to donate. Plan to bring identification, such as your state-issued identification card or driver’s license.
A representative will ask questions to determine if you meet the basic eligibility requirements. Based on your answers, the representative will allow you to donate.
Some of the basic requirements to donate blood include the following:
- Being of age, which is 17 years of age in most states or 16 with parental consent
- Weighing more than 110 pounds
- Feeling in good health, normal, and not sick
- Not take certain medications
- Have not traveled to restricted countries
There are also questions about your personal history and lifestyle. For instance, you need to wait a certain period after; being pregnant, getting a tattoo or piercing, having treated a sexually transmitted disease, or using intravenous (IV) drugs.
Likewise, the representative will give you information about the blood donation process. You may also ask related questions.
After registering and completing your health history, a health care personnel member will prep you to give blood. They will disinfect the area and insert a new sterile needle into your vein. A donation consists of one pint of blood.
Different Blood Type Donation Donors
Most people think of whole blood donations when they hear “blood drive.” Medical professionals use whole blood for transfusion.
All blood types are in need, but some types are rarer than others. Likewise, certain blood types can help persons with different blood types, while others can only go to those with the exact type.
Rare Blood Types
AB negative is the rarest blood type at 1 percent of the donor population. Only recipients with AB negative or AB positive can receive AB negative blood. People with type AB negative blood can accept any Rh-negative blood type; AB, A, B, and O.
AB positive is also rare amongst donors at 2 percent. An AB positive donation can only go to another AB positive recipient. However, people with this blood type can receive every blood type as the universal receiver. Despite being rare, there is a low need for this blood type.
B negative donations can go to those with B or AB blood type with or without Rh. It is one of the rarest blood types, and B negative donors are always in need. Those with B negative blood can only receive B negative and O negative.
B positive donations can help patients with B positive or AB positive blood. B positive blood donations are very important because it is used in the treatment for those with sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Individuals with B positive blood can receive B or O with a positive or negative Rh.
A negative blood helps those with A negative or positive blood as well as AB negative or positive blood. Those with this type can only accept type A or O negative transfusions. However, A negative platelets can treat 40 percent of the population.
More Common Blood Types
O negative blood is called the universal donor since all eight blood types accept O negative, which is why it is used in emergencies. Conversely, those with this type can only accept O negative transfusions. Only about 13 percent of donors have this blood type.
A positive is the second most common blood type that can help others with types A positive and AB positive. They can accept A positive or negative and O positive or negative blood. A positive donations are one of the highest in demand.
O positive is the most common type amongst donors, and it can help anyone with Rh-positive blood. Hospitals commonly request this blood type. O positive patients can only receive O positive or negative transfusions.
How to Find a Blood Bank
Simply searching the internet with “give blood near me” will present you with a number of local facilities. You can also find local blood drives through the Red Cross website.
Many schools, churches, and other organizations set up blood drives throughout the year. However, you may find it easier to identify a blood center where you can donate more frequently.
You can donate:
- Whole blood about every 56 days.
- Red cells every 112, but no more than three times annually.
- Platelets every seven days, but no more than 24 times annually.
You also host blood banks if you have a proper location, volunteers, and donors. The Red Cross can give you recruitment tools, equipment, supplies, planning assistance, and trained staff for the screening and donations.
How Donations Help
Once you give blood and the donation is in the computer database, the blood is sent for processing. Technicians spin donations in centrifuges to separate the blood into:
- Red cells.
- Platelets.
- Plasma.
Then, each of these components is measured into standardized units, packaged, and sent to a testing laboratory. There, the blood is tested for its type and any infectious diseases.
Usable units are labeled, stored, and distributed to hospitals and other medical emergency facilities. Doctors determine if a patient needs a blood transfusion, such as due to:
- Serious injury.
- Surgery.
- Childbirth.
- Blood disorders.
- Chronic disorders.
- Cancer treatments.
- Burn treatments.
Every pint of blood helps others in need. A blood donation can save lives and help treat others.