Donating Blood, Double Red Cells, Plasma, and Platelets

Blood donating is not just donating blood anymore. In this article you will see the other ways that your donation can be used. You can donate your blood, Double Red Cells, Platelets, and Plasma. There are guidelines that need to be followed as in with any blood donation.

There are some very good reasons to donate your blood. To save lives, learn your blood type, and there is no substitute for human blood, are some of the top reasons. About only 60 % of the population are eligible to donate, but only about 5 percent of these people that can, do.

There are general requirements to give blood, including that you need to be at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. You should always eat a well balanced meal within four hours of donating for your own safety. You also need to have valid identification such as a drivers license.

Many people think that you can get AIDS from giving blood. This is not true, as in any reputable place that is taking blood donations, only sterile, disposable equipment is used during the donation process. This makes it virtually impossible to contract AIDS or any other disease through this process.

You may not however donate blood if you have AIDS or if you have cancer such as Hematological, for example Hodgkin, Leukemia, and Lymphomas. Also you can not donate if you have Hepatitis after the age of 11 or have had a positive lab test for the virus. You can not donate if you have had kidney, lung or liver failure. There are also guidelines to follow if you have had any immunizations. There are other instances that in which you can not donate and you can obtain a list from your local hospital.

To donate blood, the prospective donor first complete a health history questionnaire and a screening interview. You will have your blood pressure checked, your pulse, temperature and a test for anemia. If your medical requirements are met, a unit, which is about one pint, of blood will be drawn from you. After you are done with this, you are served refreshments while you are resting for about 15 minutes. The entire process takes about one hour from start to finish, but will last someone a lifetime.