Last week i gave blood at the company blood drive, which happens approximately every quarter. I try to give as often as i can. Sometimes the Red Cross rejects me because my hemoglobin counts (iron) are too low. But usually they let me in, we spend about an hour together, and then they give me crackers.
I think it is an important thing to do. The need for blood is always there. It’s constant. Giving blood is an easy way to save a life. If you haven’t done it yet, consider doing it the next time you have a chance.
Here are some fun facts about blood that i am copying from a Red Cross handout. I couldn’t find this list on their website, but there is some interesting information about blood and how to donate at http://www.givelife.org.
- If you begin giving blood at the age of 17 and donate every 56 days until you reach the age of 76, you will donate about 48 gallons of blood.
- There is no upper age limit for giving blood.
- Each unit of blood you donate can help up to 3 different people.
- Hospitals in our area use about 1,500 blood products each day.
- The average blood donation only takes about 10 minutes.
- Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion.
- 1 in 10 persons entering the hospital need blood.
- The average transfusion is 3.4 pints.
- Women receive 56% of the blood transfused; men use 44%.
- The average adult body has 10-12 units of blood.
- Only 5% of the eligible population gives blood.
- The American Red Cross supplies about one-half of all the blood products used in the country.
- Persons 65 years and older compose 13% of the population, but they use 25% of all blood units transfused.
- Newborn babies only have about one cup of blood in their bodies.
- Eating iron-rich foods and drinking water can improve your blood donation experience.
- Donated blood is broken down into its three main components: red cells, platelets and plasma.
- Red blood cells can be stored for 42 days and platelets for only 5 days.
- You can give blood every 56 days.
- All donated blood goes through testing for HIV, hepatitis and other diseases.
- Type O negative blood can be transfused to 100% of people.
- Type O positive blood is the most common blood type.
- There is still no substitute for human blood.