Common Questions and Concerns of people about Blood Donation and about their health

Question1: I feel fear whenever I want to think about blood donation??

Lot of people scared when first time they decided to donate blood, but after only one donation, they will wonder that why they ever hesitated from blood donation. There is really nothing to it. As Haley O Brien one of the first sixteen year old boy to donate blood in Pennsylvania stated that “Do it, get it done, seriously it doesn’t hurt!”

Question2: How many people all around the world donate blood?

Only 5% of the population all around the world donates blood.  If only 10% of the population of the world would donate blood, it has possibility to eliminate all blood shortage in the world.

Question3: Do you only need my blood type?

We not only need your type of blood but we also need regular blood donations of ALL blood types. The rarest blood type is the type which is not available when it is needed in a critical situation.

Question4: Would you want my blood type even though I have had an illness, weakness or am taking any medicine?

If you have any doubts or problem related to your health or about your eligibility to blood donation, you can discuss them with doctors of the Blood Bank staff.  Most people who feel that they cannot give blood due to medical condition are surprised when they listen that they CAN donate blood safely for the patients.

Question5: I’m too busy so I can’t donate?

We understand you have a extremely busy schedule. But remember that one out of five people who enter in a hospital will need a blood transfusion.   Blood donation is the act of giving life to another person.  Although the whole process of blood donation can take up to an hour of your valuable time, but it can provide an entire lifetime for a patient.

Question6: I’m afraid of getting AIDS through blood donation?

Listen; there is no way you can be exposed to the AIDS virus by donating blood. All needles and equipment which are used are pre-packaged, sterile and disposable. The blood bank is under strict regulation so nothing is ever re-used on another blood donor.

Question7: I have low iron in my blood, can I still donate blood?

A sample thing is that your blood is checked in laboratory before every donation. If doctors found that your iron is low, they will ask you to donate blood at a later date.  But most of the time, low iron is only temporary. We will provide you with an “iron rich foods list” which will help to boost your iron to strong levels.

Question8: I heard it hurts when we donate.  What can I do to be best prepared to donate?

Most of the donors say that they didn’t feel anything and they describe blood donation as a slight pinch on the inside of your arm. Eating a good meal and hydrating yourself with caffeine free drinks helps you to make sure your blood donation experience is a positive one.

Question9: Will I feel weakness for the rest of the day after blood donation?

Your body will start to replace the blood after your donation immediately. After taking some cookies and real fruit juices, most of the people resume their regular activities after donating the blood.

Question10: Do I have enough blood to spare after blood donation?

If you are a healthy person and have weigh at least 110 pounds, you have 10-12 pints in your body and you can easily spare one pint. You should be able to donate blood regularly after every eight weeks without any health problem.  The fluids in your body are completely replaced in just 24 hours after blood donation.