Amazing Facts, Myths and Quotes About Blood Donation

Donation in America:

• Only 3% of donations in America are altruistic. 
• 1 of 4 Americans have donated blood at some time in their life. 
• 1 million 700 thousand altruistic donations are made per year in USA. 
• One person in America needs blood donors every 4 seconds, which means that around 20,000 people need it daily. 
• In America there are around 596 registered Blood Banks. 
• Blood has an expiration of 45 days. 
• For every 10 blood donors, 4 are rejected. 
• The need for blood is greater during vacation time
• If you donated 3 times as a woman and 4 times as a man each year from age 18 to 65.

Blood Donation around the world

• Every 3 seconds someone in the world needs a blood donor. 
• you can save 4 lives with each blood donation. 
• 9 out of 10 people will require at least one transfusion during their lifetime. 
• Approximately 108 million blood donations are made worldwide, according to WHO 
• Out of 102 countries in which the WHO has statistics, at least 25 of them do not donate all of their blood to one or more Infection and blood, tests are NOT RELIABLE for transfusion in many countries. 
• The number of regular donors went from only 70 to more than 400 out of a total of around 20,000 inhabitants.
• More than one million cancer patients are diagnosed, with lymphoblastic leukemia being the first cause of infant mortality in children from 5 to 15 years of age, most of whom require a daily transfusion you would save more than 500 lives.

Why donate?

• Blood can not be manufactured. It can only be obtained from donors. 
• Blood is essential for operations and emergencies. 
• Blood expires, and can not be stored indefinitely. 
• When you donate, three people benefit from your donation. 
• Blood is the most valuable gift we can offer to another person: the gift of life.

Benefits of donating blood

• Rejuvenates the body: By detecting that the fluid level is reduced, the body generates new cells and gives way to a clean and fresh blood. 
• Balances iron levels: A healthy adult has about 5 grams of iron in the body, and by donating blood you lose a little. This loss is replenished days later with food, regulating naturally. 
• Blood flows better: With donation, the blood flows less harmful to the lining of the blood vessels. This means less arterial blockage and less risk of heart attack and stroke. 
• Mini medical checkup: To donate blood it is necessary to check your pulse, blood pressure, hemoglobin levels and if you have HIV.
• Reduces the risk of cancer: A level amount of iron equals less risk of cancer.

Before a Blood donation:

• Sleep well the night before donation.
• Avoid smoking at least one hour before donation. 
• If you have a tendency to have low iron levels, prepare by taking food, such as red meat, liver, fish and eggs. Also legumes and nuts are rich in iron nutrient. 
• The minimum weight suitable for a blood donor is 50 kg. 
• Donor Age should be between 18 to 65 years .
• Present official identification. 
• Minimum fast of 4 hours.
• Not having been sick with flu, cough, diarrhea, dental infection in the last 14 days. 
• Not having been operated in the last 6 months. 
• Not having been vaccinated in the last 30 days.
• Not having consumed analgesics such as acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or other anti-inflammatories in the last 5 days. 
• In the case of minor surgery or uncomplicated dental extraction, wait 7 days. 
• Do not have more than one sexual partner or sex risk in the last 12 months. 
• Not being pregnant or nursing. 
• Not having had a heart attack or arrhythmia (s).

After blood donation:

• After  donation it is necessary to rest for about 10-15 minutes. 
• You must drink plenty of fluids e.g water. 
• Beware of hot environments, sports or activities that expend a lot of energy.

MYTHS ABOUT DONATION:

MYTH: Can you get any disease by donating blood? 
• Blood donation is done using sterile single-use materials, so it is impossible to get infections while donating.

MYTH: Can I only donate once a year? 
• you can donate every 2 months, with a maximum of 4 donations per year for men and 3 for women.

MYTH:  If I have tattoos or body piercings, can I not donate blood? 
• Of course you can donate, as long as one year has passed since you were done.

MYTH:  Donating blood makes you fat or thin. 
• Donate does not affect body weight. Donating around 450-480 ml of blood, does not cause any kind of change in your body.

MYTH: Donating blood weakens.
• You may feel a little tired, because your body is going to replenish the blood, but the next day the volume returns to normal.

MYTH: Women with menstruation can not donate. 
• With reforms to WHO Standards, menstruation is not an impediment to donation.

MYTH: People with diabetes, blood lipids or hypertension (high blood pressure) can not donate blood. 
• Patients who are insulin dependent can not donate blood; But those who take medications and are controlled, just like people with heart conditions without symptoms, without medical restrictions, can donate blood without any problem.

MYTH: People of legal age can not donate blood.
• The maximum age to donate blood is 65 years; you have an excellent health condition you are ready to donate blood.

MYTH: Is it possible to donate blood if you had hepatitis? 
• You can donate only if you had Hepatitis A before age 10

MYTH: I drank coffee in the day, I can not donate anymore? 
• You can donate as long as you have not used milk or cream.