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You Don't Have To Be a Doctor To Save a Life. Just Donate Blood!

Date: 01/03/22

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a dangerously low blood supply. Organizations like the Red Cross are in desperate need of donors. The low blood supply numbers have forced some hospitals to defer patients from time sensitive surgeries. That could be you or someone you love. January is National Blood Donor Month. That makes it the perfect time to consider becoming a regular blood donor in 2022. When you donate blood, you are helping save lives.

Blood is always needed. Whether a person is fighting cancer in the hospital or in the emergency room for surgery, everyone needs blood to stay alive. Hospitals get the blood they need through donations. Every time you donate blood, you are helping save a life.

All healthy adults are encouraged to donate blood and can do so every 8 weeks. However, there are there are some requirements you must meet to give blood.

To donate blood, you must:

  • Be 16 years or older.
  • Weigh at least 110 pounds. Those who are 16 must weigh at least 130 pounds and have parental consent.
  • Be in good health and feeling well.

Sometimes, people can’t donate blood. This is for the safety of the patients and donors.

The most common reasons people can’t donate blood include:

Being sick with a cold, flu and other types of temporary illness. Getting sick is totally normal, especially during the winter. If you feel sick on the day of your donation, call and cancel. You can donate 24 hours after your symptoms pass.

Taking certain medications. Most medications won’t disqualify you from donating blood. But you may be asked to wait a specific amount of time before you donate if you took them. The Red Cross has a list of these medications that may affect your ability to donate blood. Check them out here!

Having low iron levels. Your body uses iron to make new blood cells and replace the ones you lose when you donate blood. If you have low iron, donating blood may not be safe for you in that moment. Good news is that you can raise your iron levels and donate in the future. The Red Cross has some great tips you can follow to get your iron levels where they need to be!

Traveling outside the country. You may not be able to donate if you have lived in or traveled to a malaria-risk country in the past three years.

When you donate blood, you are helping save someone who is ill or injured. Your donation saves lives. For more information, or to find a donation center near you, visit https://www.lopa.org/blood-donation.