How to Donate Red Cross Blood and Save Lives

How to Donate Red Cross Blood and Save Lives

Blood donation is a part of healthcare that saves millions of lives year after year. The American Red Cross is one of the leading agencies in the nation in collecting and distributing blood donations. The Red Cross Blood Donation Program is a very important program that ensures ample blood supply to hospitals and other healthcare centers for many medical treatments.

 

 

The process of blood donation is very easy and simple. Any healthy person above the age of 17 can donate blood and save lives. Under the Red Cross Blood Donation Program, there are several ways to give blood: whole, platelet, and plasma donations. Each has its own unique benefit and use, and each donor is at liberty to make a choice that best suits them.

 

Under the Red Cross Blood Donation Program, there are rigid policies and procedures to safeguard donors and recipients. All donated blood is tested for infectious diseases, and the organization has very stringent eligibility criteria for donors. Blood donation can greatly enhance the lives of others and progress the community at large.

Acknowledging Blood Donation

The Importance of Blood Donation

Blood donation is a very critical, lifesaving process. A great number of medical procedures, with an emphasis on surgical operations, cancer therapy, and emergencies, use blood transfusions. According to the American Red Cross, in the US, someone needs a blood transfusion every two seconds, and from one donated blood unit, up to three persons may benefit. Blood donation is very essential for those patients who often require transfusion or have rare blood types.

 

Blood Types and Their Compatibility

Blood type is determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens on the surface of red blood cells. The most common blood types are A, B, AB, and O. A person with blood type O is considered a universal donor, for they can donate to everybody, and a person with blood type AB is considered a universal recipient, for they can receive from everyone. This means blood transfusion should be perfectly matched to ensure that the donor and the recipient are compatible. The Red Cross has sophisticated testing and screening to make sure that donated Blood is compatible with the recipient’s blood type and safe [2].

Safety and Screening Procedures

Blood supply safety is paramount, and the Red Cross follows strict standards to ensure that blood donated is safe for transfusion. Before donating blood, prospective donors are required to provide information concerning their medical history, previous travel, and other risk factors. A minimum weight and hemoglobin count should also be reached; a donor needs to be in good health and never have had risky behavior with unprotected sex or injecting drugs. The blood is tested after donation for various infectious organisms like West Nile virus, hepatitis B and C, and HIV. In addition, there is evidence that removal of white blood cells from donated blood—a process called leukoreduction—may decrease the risk of several transfusion-related complications; the Red Cross takes advantage of this fact.

 

Blood donation is a simple and safe process that can mean so much in a person’s life. Being informed about the importance of blood donation, the myriad blood types and compatibilities, safety measures taken, and the screening processes involved can enable a potential donor to make a decision to donate blood and save lives.

 

[1] “Donation Process Overview,” Red Cross Blood Services. http://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process.html.

 

[2] Blood Donation Process, Red Cross Blood Services. Blood donation procedure: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood.html

 

[3] “Leukoreduction.” Red Cross Blood Services. What happens to donated blood? https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/leukoreduction.html

The Procedure for Donating Red Cross Blood

One of the largest blood donation organizations in the US is the American Red Cross. The company collects and distributes blood donations to various medical institutions across the country. To donate blood through the Red Cross, individuals go through a simple three-step process: eligibility and registration, day of donation, and tips and after donation care.

Eligibility and Registration

There are various requirements that the donors should meet before donating blood. According to the Red Cross, an individual needs to be at least 17 years old and must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds to donate blood. In addition, they must not have infectious diseases and should be in good health.

 

People may download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule a blood donation appointment. When registering, individuals will be asked to provide some personal identifying information, such as their name, birth date, and contact information.

Day of Donation: What to Expect

People should come to the donation appointment on the day of the appointment on the advice of plenty of drinks and a nutritious food. In order to make sure they are in good enough health to donate, they would be required to fill out a health history form and have a mini-physical examination when they get there.

 

A whole blood donation, in fact, takes eight to ten minutes to complete. During the procedure, the donor will either be lying down or comfortably sitting. Once the donation is complete, a staff member will bandage the arm. This should take about a pint of whole blood. A little volume of the blood is drawn by the apheresis device, and then the platelets are extracted before returning the other blood components to the giver.

Tips and Care after Donation

One should rest for some minutes and drink enough water after donating blood. According to the Red Cross, one should avoid alcohol and strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours after giving blood. One should also avoid smoking for two hours after donation.

 

Moreover, it is advised that donors increase the consumption of foods rich in iron—spinach, red meat, and beans—to replenish their iron levels. The American Red Cross recommends keeping hydrated and avoiding caffeine a few hours after donating blood.

 

All things considered, donating blood with the Red Cross is such an easy way to make such a big difference in saving lives. As people meet the eligibility criteria to donate blood, prepare for the day of donation, and take care of themselves after the donation process, they can impact the health and wellbeing of other people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the qualifications to donate blood to the Red Cross?

There are several qualifying criteria which individuals should meet in order to donate blood through the Red Cross. These include being in good health, weighing at least 110 pounds, and being at least 17 years old. Also, one could not have donated blood in the past 56 days, and there exist more qualifying criteria that do not allow donors after taking certain medications or having a certain medical condition. A long list of qualifying conditions can be found on the Red Cross Blood Donation FAQ page.

 

How do I find my local Red Cross blood donation center?

Find a local Red Cross blood donation location Individuals can also visit the Red Cross Blood Donation website or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Using the in-app zip code, city or state search function, individuals can find local blood drives or donation centers.

 

How does Red Cross RapidPass work and what is it?

Donors can complete their online pre-donation reading and health history form in advance of their scheduled donation using Red Cross RapidPass. Individuals can access the website and fill in all the required information on a given appointment day to minimize wait times and quicken the donation process.

 

How do I contact the Red Cross with questions about donating blood?

You can Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and speak to a representative of the Red Cross regarding questions about blood donation. You can also visit the website of the Red Cross Blood Donation FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions.

 

What happens when I donate blood to the Red Cross?

When donating blood to the Red Cross, a person should expect their blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin levels to be taken. After a person has gone through the actual donation, which generally takes ten to fifteen minutes, they are asked to sit for a few minutes. Refreshments are also given to donors after they have finished donating.

 

Are there any restrictions as to who can donate blood to the Red Cross?

Yes, there are some limitations on who may donate blood to the Red Cross. This means people who have had certain medical conditions, are taking certain medications, or have been involved in certain activities that may place them at an increased risk for acquiring blood-borne infections. Limitations can be found on the Red Cross Blood Donation FAQ website.