If you’re not giving blood, you might say it’s because you have too many other things to do, one of many excuses for not donating blood. But the truth is, even just doing a few hours of blood donation is an essential step in helping others who need it.
“I’M AFRAID OF NEEDLES.”
The most challenging part about deciding to donate blood, and one of the main excuses for not donating blood, is overcoming the fear of the needle stick.
Many people decide to donate to help get over their fear of needles. The actual drawing process should cause minimal if any, discomfort.
During the preliminary interview process (required to test your iron level), the finger prick is usually the only slight discomfort encountered by a blood donor.
“OTHERS ARE DONATING ENOUGH.”
40% of the US population is eligible to donate blood, yet less than 5% of those eligible do. Blood centers nationwide typically run into blood shortages at various times throughout the year.
“MY BLOOD TYPE IS NOT IN DEMAND.”
Blood centers often run short of type O, A, and B blood, but shortages of all types occur during the summer and winter holidays.
If all eligible donors gave at least twice a year, it would help prevent blood shortages.
“THEY WOULDN’T WANT MY BLOOD BECAUSE OF THE ILLNESSES I’VE HAD.”
Many health conditions do not prevent people from donating blood, and the deferral criteria for blood donors are constantly changing, which means that if you were turned down for donation in the past, you might now be eligible to donate
Donating blood is safer today than it has ever been before. Blood centers follow five layers of safety procedures:
- Careful blood donor eligibility standards
- An individual screening process
- Laboratory testing of all blood samples
- Confidential exclusion of all ineligible donations
- Donor record checks
“I’M AFRAID OF CATCHING A DISEASE.”
Donating blood is safer today than it has ever been before. Blood centers follow five layers of safety procedures:
- Careful blood donor eligibility standards
- An individual screening process
- Laboratory testing of all blood samples
- Confidential exclusion of all ineligible donations
- Donor record checks
“I DON’T HAVE ANY SPARE BLOOD TO DONATE.”
Blood makes up about seven percent (7%) of your body’s weight, and the average adult has approximately two pints of blood for every 25 pounds of body weight.
The body is constantly manufacturing blood. After your whole blood donation, you will not be eligible to donate for 56 days (or eight weeks), during which time your body will completely replenish the blood you have so generously donated.
You can give platelets every two weeks, up to 24 times per year, plasma every four weeks, and automated red cells every 112 days.
“MY BLOOD ISN’T RICH ENOUGH.”
The minimum hematocrit (iron) level to donate blood is 12.5 for females and 13.0 for males.
If you are deferred for low hemoglobin, your collections specialist can review ways to increase your iron level.
In many cases, your iron level can be increased significantly by simple changes to your diet.
“I’M AFRAID OF BEING TURNED DOWN.”
There are many reasons why you might be deferred and many more Excuses For Not Donating Blood. Some of these deferrals are permanent, while many are only temporary.
The deferral criteria for blood donors are constantly changing, which means that if you were turned down for donation in the past, you might now be eligible to donate!
“THEY’LL TAKE TOO MUCH BLOOD, AND I’LL FEEL WEAK.”
Immediately after your blood donation, you will also be asked to spend a few moments in our canteen area, where you will be served refreshments, cookies, and other snacks.
This will help replenish some of the sugar and liquids in your body and allow us to ensure that you are feeling well after your donation.
“I’M TOO BUSY.”
If you, a family member, a co-worker, a neighbor, or a friend needed a blood transfusion, would you want to hear this excuse?
Donating blood is safe and easy and takes less than an hour. A single blood donation can help as many as three different people! In what other activity can so little time do so much?
Very often, we fear what we don’t know! Now that you know, there are No more Excuses For Not Donating Blood 🙂
