Facts About Blood Donations
The gift of blood helps save lives, and the demand for blood and blood products is great. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and more than 50,000 units of blood are needed each year at Cedars-Sinai alone. Learn more about blood types and compatibility, different ways to donate and the need for lifesaving blood so you can make an informed decision about donation.
Why Is The Red Cross Collecting Plasma
The Red Cross is collecting plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to help current patients battling this new coronavirus. COVID-19 convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and contains antibodies that might help patients actively fighting the virus.
What About The Influenza/covid
In regards to the Flu shot, as long as you dont have any symptoms or side effects from the shot and you meet other donor qualifications, you can donate blood. As it concerns the COVID-19 vaccine, if youre symptom-free, feel generally well, meet donation qualifications, you can donate, but must wait 3 days following receiving the vaccine.
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Apheresis Or Automated Blood Collection
Apheresis is a way for our trained collection specialists to collect only a particular component of your blood for transfusion and return your remaining blood components to you safely through a sterile kit and process. Since the components are drawn into separate unit bags through a process called apheresis, it is likely that a patient will receive an automated blood donation unit faster than a whole blood donation because the separation step is skipped and the unit is able to go directly to testing. It is important to note that there are different eligibility requirements for automation donors. You can read about the eligibility requirements here.
Who Can Donate Blood
Healthy adults who meet donation eligibility criteria can donate blood. The procedure is safe and relatively painless.
During a regular donation, you will give around 470ml of whole blood. This is about 8% of the average adults blood volume.
The body replaces this volume within 24 to 48 hours, and replenishes red blood cells in 10 to 12 weeks.
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A Free Health Screening
By going to donate blood, you are getting a mini-physical, says Dr. DeSimone.
Before you are allowed to donate, your vital signs will be checked to make sure you are fit enough for the procedure. This exam might turn up a condition that needs medical attention, such as high blood pressure or a heart arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation. In addition, youll be screened for infectious diseases you may be unaware of.
If we detect an issue with your vital signs or another health issue, we would direct you to go to a physician at that point to be checked, Dr. DeSimone says.
The health screening will also reveal if you have a rare blood type. This information can be useful if you ever face surgery or another medical situation in which a transfusion may be required. Plus, youll have the satisfaction of knowing your donation is particularly needed.
Dr. Robert A. DeSimone
Other Factors That Impact How Often You Can Donate
So, how many times can you donate plasma in a year? If you make regular visitors to the donation center while considering the FDAs seven-day rule on authorized plasma donations, you can donate plasma up to 104 times a year.
However, many other factors can influence that number and reduce the number of times you can donate plasma. Aside from those mentioned above, here are a few different reasons you might be deferred temporarily or permanently from donating:
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You Can Make A Real Difference
What is a blood donation?
Blood that’s taken straight from a donor. After it’s donated, we usually separate blood into red blood cells, plasma and platelets in our labs.
How long do red blood cells last?
Red blood cells only last 42 days from when theyre donated. Australia needs over 1.7 million donations every year to meet demand: that’s three every minute.
Your blood can save lives
Did you know one blood donation can save up to three lives? Just think about how many lives you could change by coming back for more.
How your donated red blood cells help
34%
heart, organ and other non-orthopaedic surgeries
13%
stomach, kidney and other diseases
10%
help pregnant women, new mothers and young children
2%
road incidents and other traumas
How Much Weight Do You Lose Giving Blood
But when you donate regularly, it gives you the opportunity to save multiple lives. Burning calories. No, blood donation won’t become a weight loss fad any time soon. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated.Jun 11, 2018
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Is It Safe To Donate Red Blood Cells
Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component and are needed by almost every type of patient requiring transfusion. If you meet certain criteria, Power Red allows you to safely donate two units of red cells during one appointment as an automated donation process. It is as safe as whole blood donation.
Does Donating Blood Lower Your Risk Of Heart Disease
The research is mixed on whether blood donation actually lowers the risk of heart disease and heart attack.
A 2017 study trusted Source suggests that regular blood donations are associated with increased risk of heart disease possibly due to unfavorable cholesterol levels
However, donating blood regularly may lower iron stores, according to a 2013 study trusted Source. This may reduce the risk of a heart attack. High body iron stores are believed to increase the risk of a heart attack.
Regular blood donations were thought to lower blood pressure trusted Source, but a 2017 study trusted Source suggests these observations are deceiving and are not a real physiological response.
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How Many ‘lives’ Are Saved From One Donation Of Blood
You can donate platelets once in a seven day period and up to 24 times a year. You must wait at least 7 days after donating platelets before donating whole blood. After an automated double red cell collection, you must wait 112 days before donating again. In any eight week period, you can make one blood donation and one platelet donation or six platelet donations.
Consent Form For Blood Donation For Medical Research
If you agree to participate in a blood research project, you must sign a consent form. The exact content of the form will vary between projects, but it may be a statement that includes details such as:
- An understanding of the aims of the research project .
- You are willing to donate the required amount of blood.
- The blood donation procedure and any side effects .
- The blood will be used purely for research, not for transfusion or any other medical purpose.
- All information you provide is confidential.
- Participation is voluntary and you can change your mind at any stage.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Blood Donation
Here’s a closer look at the disadvantages to consider before donating blood.Bruising. When you donate blood, you sit or lie on a reclining chair with your arm extended on an armrest. … Continued bleeding. … Dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea. … Pain. … Physical weakness. … Time-consuming. … But donating blood can do a lot of good.
How Many Times A Year Can You Donate Blood
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Is Donating Blood Good For Your Liver
Giving blood can help your liver stay healthy Research has linked too much iron with NAFLD, Hepatitis C and other liver diseases and infections. Though there are many other factors involved in these problems, donating blood can help relieve some of those iron stores and avoid extra issues in your liver.Feb 1, 2018
How Many Times A Healthy Human Being Can Donate Blood In A Year
Most people can donate red blood cells every 112 days. You can typically donate platelets once every 7 days, up to 24 times a year. You can typically donate plasma every 28 days, up to 13 times a year. If you give multiple types of blood donations, this will lower the number of donations that you can give per year.Dec 10, 2019
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How Many Calories Do You Lose Donating Blood
650 caloriesBut when you donate regularly, it gives you the opportunity to save multiple lives. Burning calories. No, blood donation won’t become a weight loss fad any time soon. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated.Jun 11, 2018
How Many Times Can I Donate Plasma
Plasma donations through the American Red Cross can only be made once every 28 days, or up to 13 times each year.
But most private plasma-donation companies allow people to donate plasma more frequently up to multiple times a week.
Plasma donation companies that operate on a pay-per-donation system offer financial incentives for donors. For many, frequent plasma donation is a lucrative way to earn extra money.
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Is It Safe To Donate Plasma
Plasma donation is a safe, comfortable, and relatively easy process for most people who donate.
When you arrive for your appointment, the nurses will make sure youre comfortable and feeling well enough to go through with the donation process.
Once youre all settled in, youll be hooked up to a plasmapheresis machine. This machine works by removing your blood, separating out the plasma, and returning the blood back to your body.
Plasma donations should always be performed in a qualified facility that utilizes sterilized equipment.
Certified nurses will be available before, during, and after the entire procedure to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
Products Made From Blood Plasma
Blood is made up of 55% plasma the straw-coloured liquid that carries your red cells, white cells and platelets. Plasma also contains antibodies and other important proteins.
Plasma is processed to make a number of different products including:
- Human immunoglobulin used to boost the immune system.
- Normal immunoglobulin used to prevent hepatitis A
- Hyper immunoglobulins used in vaccinations for chickenpox, tetanus, cytomegalovirus and hepatitis B.
- Anti-D prevents haemolytic disease of newborn babies by inoculating a mother who is Rh-negative against the incompatible Rh-positive blood cells of her baby.
- Human albumin used to treat protein deficiency.
- Biostate used to treat haemophilia A and other bleeding disorders.
- Human coagulation factor IX used to treat haemophilia B.
- Human prothrombin complex used to treat bleeding disorders.
- Human antithrombin III used to treat a condition characterised by premature blood clotting.
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What About Parking
Gayley: If you need to obtain a parking permit, please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. You may park temporarily behind the donor center to obtain parking permit and instructions when you check-in on the second floor.
Ackerman Center: Please contact the Blood & Platelet Center for parking options at option 2.
Who Can Give Blood
In addition to registration, there is a short mini-physical involved with any blood donation. This is to ensure the person meets the requirements to give blood. These requirements vary depending on which type of donation you wish to pursue . Most people give whole blood, so we will refer to whole blood donation requirements when answering the questions below.
At a minimum, a person needs to be in good general health and feeling well to donate blood. They must also be at least 17 years old . Marisa Munafo, BSN, R.N., Education Specialist at Firelands Regional Medical Center, organizes the blood drives for the organization. Below, she’ll give more details to the question: who can give blood?
Now that we’ve covered many of the eligibility requirements to donate blood let’s answer other questions, such as how long it takes to donate blood and where to give it near you.
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Side Effects Of Donating Blood
Blood donation is safe for healthy adults. Theres no risk of contracting the disease. New, sterile equipment is used for each donor.
Some people may feel nauseous, lightheaded, or dizzy after donating blood. If this happens, it should only last a few minutes. You can lie down with your feet up until you feel better.
You may also experience some bleeding at the site of the needle. Applying pressure and raising your arm for a couple of minutes will usually stop this. You may develop a bruise at the site.
- You still feel lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseous after drinking, eating, and resting.
- You develop a raised bump or continue bleeding at the needle site.
- You have arm pain, numbness, or tingling.
An Hour Of Your Time Could Save Three Lives
Every two seconds in the United States someone needs blood to survive. One in three people need a lifesaving transfusion during their lifetime. This need touches everyonefamily, friends, neighbors, colleagues and the community.
Each blood donation has the potential to save 3 lives. It is a precious resource, but has a limited shelf lifeonly 5-7 days for platelets and 42 days for red blood cells. Thats why it takes 1,000 donors a day to maintain the blood supply for the 90 hospitals we support in the Northwest.
You can donate at a center, or at one of our many mobile drives. Your donation helps people having surgeries or organ transplants, or receiving treatment for trauma. People often receive transfusions during treatment for cancer and bleeding disorders.
What should you expect the first time you donate?
Donating blood is a safe and simple process. Youll be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your health and travel history. Then youll meet a staff member for a short screening interview and quick physical examination. If you meet eligibility requirements, well discuss the blood donation that best matches your blood type and current local needs.
We want you to feel great after donating. Eat a healthy meal within four hours before you donate, and be sure to stay well hydrated with non-caffeinated fluids before and after donation. After donation, it is good to add iron-rich foods like meat, spinach and beans to your diet, or to take an dietary iron supplement.
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Why Do People Donate Blood
Donating blood helps save lives, and regular donors can help meet vital blood needs. Several factors such as medication, health conditions, and travel affect how often people can donate blood. This article looks at how often a person can donate blood and when they may need to wait before donating.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Donate Blood
According to the American Red Cross, there are some criteria with regard to who can donate blood. In most states, you must be at least 17 years old to donate platelets or plasma and at least 16 years old to donate whole blood. Younger donors may be eligible in certain states if theyve a signed parental consent form.
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Blood Donation Requirements For Medical Research
Donor requirements for medical research may be slightly different from those for Lifeblood donors. For example, people who usually dont qualify as Lifeblood donors can qualify as donors for medical research.
To qualify to become a blood donor for medical research:
- Be aged 18 to 60.
- Not taking anti-clotting or anti-inflammatory medications .
- Tel. to make an appointment. Appointments are available Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 10am.
A Healthier Heart And Vascular System
Regular blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk for heart attacks. It definitely helps to reduce cardiovascular risk factors, says Dr. DeSimone.
Whats the connection? If your hemoglobin is too high, blood donation helps to lower the viscosity of the blood, which has been associated with the formation of blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke, Dr. DeSimone says. Interestingly, these benefits are more significant in men compared to women. We think maybe its because women have menstrual cycles, so they do it naturally without donating blood.
People with a condition called hereditary hemochromatosis must have blood removed regularly to prevent the buildup of iron. Fortunately, this blood can benefit others.
These are essentially healthy patients who are otherwise normal, but they have a gene mutation where they make too much blood, and they make too much normal blood, Dr. Vossoughi says. So we can use that blood.
The New York Blood Center Hereditary Hemochromatosis Program allows people with hemochromatosis to donate blood rather than have it removed and thrown away. Instead of having to go to a clinic or go to one of our phlebotomy centers every few months to reduce their blood volume, they can go to any local blood drive, Dr. Vossoughi says. That blood will then be used for somebody who needs it.
Dr. Sarah Vossoughi
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