Did you know that every time you give blood you help save the lives of 4 to 5 people? Blood is used in trauma cases, surgeries, bone marrow transplants and severe burns. For each hospital approximately 350 units of blood are used every day. 50 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, yet roughly 5 to 10 percent donate on a routine basis. If eligible donors gave 3 times a year the blood supply would never run short.
Being a donor can be a healthy thing. Periodically lowering the iron in the blood is a good thing, especially in men. Lowering the iron level also stimulates the bone marrow.
You can be a donor if you are over 17, weigh more than 110 lbs., haven’t donated blood in the past 8 weeks, and are in good general health. When you arrive at a donation center, your blood pressure will be checked, along with your temperature, pulse and iron levels. You may be turned away if any of these are not within the guidelines. You will also learn your blood type (A, B, AB, O, Rh).
If you have any questions about becoming a donor I suggest your call the local center or your family doctor for a location. It may become something you will do the rest of your life.
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