Thursday, April 5, 2012
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #1. “I’m Afraid of Needles.”
You’re not alone! Most first-time donors feel this sense of fear before donating. Talk to someone who has donated before, they will assure you that it is only a slight pinch. Your bravery will be rewarded with snacks at the canteen!
Once you’ve faced your fear, you will wonder why you ever were nervous in the first place!
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #2. “Others are Donating Enough.”
This statement is inaccurate. Approximately half of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, yet only five percent of those who’re eligible actually give blood!
Nationally, blood supplies sometimes runs low, especially during summer and winter months. Running out of blood isn’t like running out of an ingredient while cooking, however — there is no substitute for blood.
Someone needs blood every two seconds. That’s about as often as you blink. To them, your blood is irreplaceable. Your body, on the other hand, replaces the fluid lost within hours and the red blood cells within a month of donating, according to America’s Blood Centers.
Just like food and medication, blood has an expiration date, adding to Miller-Keystone Blood Center’s dependency on a steady stream of donors. Whole blood has a shelf-life of about a month and half; platelets, used to treat cancer patients and burn victims, have a shelf-life of less than a week.
MKBC continually needs blood donors to keep the community’s blood supply at a safe level. As the only supplier to over 21 regional hospitals that need over 450 units of blood for their patients daily, MKBC needs your blood to keep premature infants, accident victims, burn victims, cancer patients and others in need of life-saving transfusions alive.
Some of the top reasons patients need blood: premature birth, accidents, burns, cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal tract disease and transplants. Here’s how many units of blood patients in need typically use:
- Premature Infant:1-4 units of red cells
- Automobile Accident: 5-100 units of red cells
- Burn Victims: 20 units of platelets
- Cancer Patient:3-10 units of red cells / 10-30 units of platelets
- Sickle Cell Patient:10-20 units of red cells
- Heart Surgery: 3-8 units of red cells / 1-10 units of platelets / 2-5 units of plasma
- Organ Transplant: 10-30 units of red cells / 10-30 units of platelets / 10-20 units of plasma / 20 bags of cryoprecipitate
- Bone Marrow Transplant: 15-20 units of red cells / 100-120 units of platelets
If blood donors gave just twice a year, blood shortages would be rare.
Unfortunately, many people don’t start giving blood until someone they know — a neighbor, friend or family member — needs it. By donating blood on a regular basis, you can help ensure that enough blood is there when someone you love depends on it.
A resident of Easton, Sarah Peters is a junior at Penn State University, and a Public Relations Intern at Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #3. “My Blood Type is Not In Demand.”
People often think that the most common blood types are least in demand — after all, there are more donors of that type then, right? Wrong! The more people that have a blood type, the more their blood donations are vital because the higher the demand generally is for transfusions of that blood type.
For instance, one in three persons in the general population is O+, and one in three is A+. A high proportion of people with a certain blood type that also means there will be a greater need for that type when multiple medical emergencies arise.
Potential organ recipients may have to pass up life-saving organs if their blood type isn’t available when they find out that an organ is available. Other surgery patients may also have to put off surgery if enough blood of their type available isn’t available.
Pediatric cancer patients, premature infants and children undergoing heart surgery also rely on blood and platelets from donors of all blood types to get the treatment they need, according to America’s Blood Centers. Other nonemergency surgeries, such as orthopedic operations, may also be postponed if there is a blood shortage.
Blood centers run short of all types of blood, especially during the summer and winter months when there are higher demands and fewer donations due to travel and holidays. If all donors (including you!) gave at least twice a year, it would help prevent blood shortages year-round.
While blood centers need donors of all blood types to maintain the blood supply, type O-negative blood donations are vital, because it’s the universal donor — unlike other blood types, it can be given to people with all blood types.
The stock of type O-negative blood can mean life or death for trauma patients. In the time it takes for hospital workers to test and match a trauma patient’s blood, the patient could bleed to death, according to an article published a few years ago in the Seattle Times. But if a hospital has type O-negative blood on-hand, it can be given to a trauma patient immediately without fear of life-threatening complications. Likewise, people with type AB blood, either positive or negative, are universal plasma donors.
The rarest blood type is one that’s not on the shelf when a patient needs it. By giving blood, you can give the gift of life to as many as three people, no matter what blood type you have.
A resident of Easton, Sarah Peters is a junior at Penn State University, and a Public Relations Intern at Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #4. “I’m Afraid of Catching a Disease.”
Believe it or not, donating blood can actually help you lower your risk of disease. High blood iron levels have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, a leading killer in our country.
Giving blood helps remove iron from the blood stream, so you’re actually doing yourself a favor by donating blood. Both your blood pressure and cholesterol are tested when you give blood, and since high blood pressure and cholesterol are commonly linked to heart disease, donating blood can help you and your physician prevent and deal with heart health issues. Recent international studies also suggest that giving blood frequently may lower the risk of cancer.
Giving blood is extremely safe — there’s no chance of getting a disease by donating blood. All equipment is sterile and used only once. Plus, as soon as the disposable equipment has been used to collect a donation, it is discarded in a container labeled as bio-hazardous.
That being said, there are a few steps you can take before and after blood donation to make it as safe and pleasant an experience as possible. Not only are blood donations vital – saving up to three lives, but donating gives you an excuse to eat a big (but still healthy) meal and take a day off from your workout routine! Taking a break from physical activity is recommended for a few hours up to a day after giving blood.
Drinking plenty of fluid before blood donation helps the process go faster, and drinking water or juice after donating will help you recover — so you can get back in action sooner rather than later. The Blood Bank of Hawaii reports that if you stay hydrated, the fluids you lose in blood donation will be replaced in less than a day! But the recipient of your donation will be thankful for a lifetime.
Donated blood is safer than ever, due largely to the careful screening of donors, who are privately screened to make sure they meet eligibility standards. Donated blood is also lab tested, which may help detect health issues that donors were previously unaware of so they can seek medical treatment.
In addition to being licensed and accredited by the FDA, Miller-Keystone Blood Center is accredited the American Association of Blood Banks, and the state departments of health in PA, NJ, NY and MD.
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #5. “They Wouldn’t Want My Blood Because of all the Illnesses I’ve had.”
Blood donations are vital for the health and welfare of our community.
It’s true that you will not qualify to give blood if you have a cold, the flu, a stomach bug, fever or sore throat. But each donor is given a mini-check-up at the beginning of the donation process to make sure they can safely donate for our community blood supply.
Many medical conditions result in only a temporary deferral, and the criteria for blood donation is continually changing.
Lots of people wonder how long they need to wait after surgery. If you’ve made a complete recovery (which we hope you have), you are no longer under a doctor’s care for the condition that required surgery and you didn’t receive a blood transfusion, you are likely able to give blood. However, be aware that recent surgery patients are individually assessed by a staff member.
Are you a new mom? As long as it’s been at least six weeks since you’ve delivered your newborn, you aren’t under a doctor’s care and a blood transfusion wasn’t needed, you are free to donate.
Potential donors who have diabetes may give blood, as long as they haven’t taken insulin made before 1990, which may have been bovine insulin. Donors who have always taken oral medication or recombinant insulin are eligible to donate.
If you’ve recovered from heart, lung or vascular surgery and have no physical restrictions, you may be able to give, with clearance from your doctor. People with heart or lung disease who have activity restrictions will not qualify for donation.
Individuals who have blood cancer should not give blood. Donors with other forms of cancer are typically eligible to donate one to five years after recovery. Skin cancer doesn’t necessarily make someone ineligible for donation.
People who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease who’re no longer under a doctor’s care are eligible.
Donors with sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis or gonorrhea, are deferred for one year after their treatment is completed.
While potential donors should regularly check back to see if they’re eligible, certain conditions and/or medications may permanently prevent someone from giving blood.
For the safety of transfusion recipients, anyone who has HIV/AIDS, has tested positive for HIV/AIDS, or has come into sexual contact with someone diagnosed with HIV/AIDS will not qualify to donate blood.
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #6. “I don’t Have Any Spare Blood To Donate.”
You’ve got plenty of blood. Think about it: every time you become a feast for mosquitoes, knick your finger with a paper cut or get a blood test, you’ve survived. Even though you lose more blood when you donate, you’ll still have enough blood to be healthy and happy. After all, you will have just given the best gift of all — the gift of life!
The average adult has about two pints of blood for every 25 pounds of body weight. According to the blood bank experts, If you weigh at least 110 pounds (the minimum weight for blood donation), you should be able to spare a pint with no problem. Blood donations are vital - the one pint you give up can save the lives of as many as three people.
Plus, there are restrictions on how often you can donate. Your body constantly makes blood, so the red blood cells you lose during whole blood donation will be completely replenished in about two months. The fluids in your body take just a few hours to adjust, and we help move that along by providing you with liquids and snacks after your donation. Most people have adapted and resume their normal level of activity within a day or so.
Blood, like food and medicine, has an “expiration date” – Red cells must be used within 42 days of donation, while platelets only have a useable lifespan of 5 days. That is why it is so important for there to be a continuous stream of blood donors walking through the door.
And remember - there’s no substitute for human blood; the people who need it rely on the selflessness of blood donors like you.
MKBC is in constant need of blood donations to keep the community’s blood supply at a safe level. For a patient who needs your blood today, the blood you can easily spare may be irreplaceable.
A resident of Easton, Sarah Peters is a junior at Penn State University, and a Public Relations Intern at Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #7. “My Blood Isn’t Rich Enough.”
Blood donations are vital to the health and welfare of our community. Your iron level (hemoglobin) will be tested before you donate blood, so you may be pleasantly surprised to discover it is high enough to donate. If your iron level doesn’t meet the minimum requirement to donate, which is 12.5, don’t fret!
Some people are more likely to have this issue, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, but making simple changes to your diet can boost your blood iron levels.
Lengthy lists of iron-rich foods can be found on many internet websites.The cartoon character Popeye was onto something with his spinach — leafy, green vegetables are a good source of iron, particularly from the cabbage family. Stock up on broccoli, kale, turnip and collard greens, and you’ll be ready to donate in no time.
If you’re not big on vegetables, beef, pork, lamb, liver and other red meat should also help do the trick. Need an excuse for a trip to your favorite seafood restaurant? Now you’ve got one — shellfish is also a good source of iron, especially clams, mussels and oysters.
Some of those options might not sound so good to vegetarians, but there are still more ways to increase your iron levels. For vegetarians, legumes, like lima beans, peas, pinto beans, black-eyed peas and canned baked beans should find their way onto your plate to get more iron into your bloodstream.
Believe it or not, carbs can bring up your iron level if you eat yeast-leavened whole wheat bread and rolls or iron-enriched white bread, pasta and rice, or cereal such as Total.
Whatever your choice of cuisine, consuming iron-rich foods with orange juice or another source of Vitamin C should increase your absorption.
Before making any drastic changes to your diet, you should consult a physician. It is possible to over-consume iron consumption, which can actually be a danger to your health. In severe cases of iron deficiency, your physician may recommend that you take an iron supplement.
If you change your eating habits to increase your iron levels enough to give blood, your own health will benefit, as well as lives of the patients your blood donations save.
A resident of Easton, Sarah Peters is a junior at Penn State University, and a Public Relations Intern at Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #8. “I’m Afraid of Being Turned Down.”
We understand the frustration. You realize that blood donations are vital to the community, and you are excited about helping to save a life. And then if you visit the Blood Center to donate and you’re told that you are not eligible due to recent travel, medication, a tattoo, etc. Fear not! Many deferrals are only temporary, so you may have waited out the period that you are ineligible to donate.
Plus, even if you were turned down before, you may now be able to donate - donor criteria is constantly changing, so it’s a good idea to let trained blood center staff help you determine your eligibility for donation.
Low iron is actually a common reason why people are temporarily turned down for blood donation. Simply changing your eating habits to include more greens, shellfish and red meat can help alleviate this dilemma.
Trying to up your iron for blood donation can also give you motivation to kick your coffee addiction — caffeine intake limits iron absorption. However, if you aren’t quite ready to part with your daily dose of coffee, drinking lots of liquids rich in Vitamin C can help improve iron absorption. Giving up your coffee four hours before you donate blood, however, is still a good idea to avoid dehydration after donating.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications can result in a deferral as well. Typically, taking over-the-counter medication only affects your ability to donate blood for a few days. Prescription medications result in a longer period of ineligibility, about a month a day after you stop taking the medication. A list of medications and how they affect donor eligibility is available online.
If you’d rather not deal with the headache of figuring out how your medication affects your eligibility, call the Blood Center at 800-223-6667 and our friendly, helpful staff will help you determine if you’re presently eligible.
Travel and living abroad in certain locales can also be a cause for deferral. In most cases, deferral for travel reasons is only temporary — unless you’ve lived abroad in certain countries for a few months or more, in which case deferral is currently indefinite. If you’ve taken your dream vacation to a tropical locale or have done mission work in high-risk malarial or HIV/AIDS areas, you may also want to check online or consult with blood center staff about your eligibility or any concerns you may have.
A resident of Easton, Sarah Peters is a junior at Penn State University, and a Public Relations Intern at Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #9. “They’ll Take Too Much Blood and I’ll Feel Weak.”
The cookies and juice you enjoy in the canteen area after your life-saving blood donation aren’t meant to sabotage your diet — having a snack after your donation will help replenish the sugar and liquids you lost when you gave blood. However, you may still feel a bit tired until the next day.
While the minor loss in stamina caused by blood donation shouldn’t disrupt your normal, day-to-day activity, you should still avoid strenuous activity. For instance, we discourage from trying to do an intense cardio workout or to set a new record for how much you can bench press as soon as you leave the blood center. It’s best to wait anywhere from several hours to the next day for that type of activity.
In addition to drinking water and other refreshments, it’s a good idea to eat a meal high in protein before your appointment to help prevent feeling weak after giving blood. Eating well, drinking lots of water and taking it easy after donating should help you get back to normal in no time!
While your blood volume is replaced in only a few hours, your plasma isn’t replaced until after you’ve eaten a meal – which is why it’s so important to eat again after donating. If you bring your friends with you to donate, you’ll have the perfect excuse to go to your favorite restaurant afterwards and to celebrate each of you saving as many as three lives. And what’s not to love about that?!
Since it takes a few weeks for your red blood cells to be completely replaced after blood donation, you’ll need to wait for 56 days before you can donate again. The wait period ensures that you will always have enough blood to stay healthy and strong, even if you donate as often as you are eligible. Blood donations are vital to the health and welfare of our community, so don’t forget to schedule your next appointment before you leave the blood center; we look forward to seeing you again when your time is up!
A resident of Easton, Sarah Peters is a junior at Penn State University, and a Public Relations Intern at Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Top 10 Reasons for Not Giving Blood
Reason #10. “I’m too busy.”
Blood donations are vital to the welfare of our community. A single blood donation can save up to three lives, and it only takes about an hour!
In that same amount of time, you can get a pedicure, get your daily dose of exercise, watch about half of your favorite movie or just spend time with your family and friends. But you can give blood for the benefit of others and feel just as good, if not better, as you would have if you had done these things for yourself.
For most of the time, you won’t even have to have a needle in your arm. Part of the hour it takes is a screening phase, spent answering some simple questions, having your iron checked and getting your blood pressure taken. The last few minutes of your time is spent as snack time, enjoying cookies and juice in the canteen area.
Because your iron level, blood pressure and cholesterol are checked when you donate, giving blood doesn’t just benefit the recipients of your blood — you get a mini-checkup, too! However, while giving blood can help detect health issues early on, it is no substitute for regular medical check-ups.
There may be other health benefits to giving blood as well! Donating blood regularly lowers your own risk of heart attack and stroke. According to Florida Blood Services, regular, long-term blood donors have an 88 percent lower risk of heart attacks and a 33 percent reduction in overall cardiovascular events, including heart attack, strokes and peripheral vascular disease. Blood donation has also been associated with a lowered risk of certain types of cancer.
What if you needed a blood transfusion, or your parents, siblings or children did? How would you feel if someone with your blood type or theirs said he or she was too busy to donate? It only takes an hour of your time to give someone else a lifetime.
A resident of Easton, Sarah Peters is a junior at Penn State University, and a Public Relations Intern at Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
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