Blood donation

Blood donation is the act of giving blood. One blood donation can be used to save three people. According to the American Red Cross, an emergency relief organization that provides services, including hosting blood drives across the United States, someone will need a blood transfusion every two seconds. Because no blood substitute exists, volunteer blood donations are vital. Blood donation does not harm a healthy person; it typically is a short process that can help someone in need.

Background

Blood donations help people who have lost blood due to accidents or need transfusions due to surgery, medical treatments, or illnesses, such as anemia, cancer, hemophilia, and sickle cell disease. An adult has about ten pints of blood in the body, and only one pint is taken during the blood donation process. A person can give blood every eight weeks (about 56 days) to sixteen weeks (about 112 days), depending on the type of blood donation.

Whole blood is composed of red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues in the body and transport carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be expelled. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood and made up mostly of water. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are small cell pieces in the blood that help to clot and stop bleeding. Blood donation also can yield cryoprecipitate, which is derived from plasma and frozen until needed.

Several types of blood donations exist. The most common is whole blood donation in which blood is taken and then separated into red cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate. This process takes about one hour, of which the actual donation process only takes about ten minutes. People can donate whole blood every fifty-six days.

During platelet apheresis, platelets and a small amount of plasma are taken from the blood. A special machine collects the blood and removes the platelets and plasma. It then returns most of the plasma and the red blood cells back to the donor. This type of donation is important because platelets help to clot blood and are used during surgical procedures, such as organ transplants. The platelet apheresis process takes about one and a half to two and a half hours.

Plasma apheresis collects the plasma from a donor. A special machine separates plasma, red blood cells, and platelets from the blood. It collects the plasma and returns the red blood cells and platelets to the person. This process takes a little more than an hour to complete.

During the power red process, a machine takes the red blood cells from the blood and returns the plasma and platelets to the donor. This process takes about one and a half hours, but the donor gives two units of red blood cells. To qualify for power red donation, people must meet hemoglobin and weight requirements. People can donate red blood cells every 112 days.

Overview

Blood donation is a simple process for healthy adults who are at least seventeen years old and weigh more than 110 pounds. (Some states allow sixteen-year-olds to donate as long as they have parental permission.) Donating blood is safe; a sterile needle is used one time for the donation and then is discarded. The body begins to replace lost fluids about twenty-four hours after donation. The red blood cells are replaced in a few weeks.

People can donate blood at the American Red Cross, blood drives, or blood banks. The entire process for whole blood donation takes about an hour with the blood extraction itself only lasting about ten minutes. It includes four steps: a registration to check in, the taking of a medical history, the giving of a mini-physical to determine if a person is healthy enough to donate, and the donation itself. Donors receive refreshments and snacks following the procedure to help them regain strength and replace fluids. The blood donation is tested to ensure it is safe to use and checked for blood type.

Not everyone is eligible to donate. This is why a medical history and mini-physical are given prior to the donation. Donors should answer all questions about their health honestly. People who take certain medications or have certain illnesses or health issues cannot donate. Pregnant women, those who have traveled to certain countries, and people who have had recent tattoos or piercings are not eligible. People who do not have high enough hemoglobin levels in the blood cannot give blood. During the mini-physical, health professionals will check the donor's temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. A finger stick will allow them to test iron and hemoglobin levels in the blood.

After the medical history and mini-physical are completed, the donor is ready to give blood. The arm will be cleaned, and a needle will be inserted into the vein of the inside of the arm. A donor will squeeze an object in his or her hand to help the blood flow into the collection bag. When the process is finished, the needle will be removed, and the arm will be bandaged. The donor will then be asked to sit and rest for a few minutes and be offered snacks and refreshments.

After the process, the donor should drink plenty of water and other nonalcoholic beverages to help replace lost fluids in the body. Foods high in iron should be consumed. Physical activity should be limited.

No major health risks are associated with giving blood. Donors cannot get HIV/AIDS from giving blood since a new needle is used for each donation. Bruising and bleeding may occur at the site of the needle. Some people may feel lightheaded or faint afterward; this can be avoided by resting after the donation and drinking plenty of water.

The blood will be tested for diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, and West Nile virus. If any disease is detected in the blood, the donor will be notified and the blood will be discarded. The blood type (A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, and O-) also will be checked to ensure that it goes to the right person since not all blood types are compatible. For example, people with every blood type can receive O- blood, but people with O- blood can receive only O- blood. People with AB+ blood type can receive every type of blood.

Bibliography

"Blood Components." American Red Cross, www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-components. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

"Blood Donation." Mayo Clinic, 30 Nov. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blood-donation/basics/definition/prc-20020069. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Boyle, Brian. "The Importance of Donating Blood." Huffington Post, 6 Dec. 2017, www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-boyle/blood-donation-facts‗b‗2638916.html. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

"Donating 101." American Red Cross, www.redcrossblood.org/students/donating-101. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

"Types of Donations." American Red Cross, www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/types-donations. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

"O+ The Secret Saver." The Blood Connection, 2024, thebloodconnection.org/about-blood/blood-education/blood-types/o-positive. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.