Got blood? Think donation
Most people are familiar with
the idea of giving blood, but there
are barriers and misconceptions
that discourage people from donating.
The fact is that everyone has
approximately five litres of the
blood in their body, which is more
than enough to donate to those
whose lives rely on donations.
Donating blood is a reciprocal process; it is beneficial for the receiver who needs blood but surprisingly is also beneficial for the donor.
“Approximately every minute of every day someone in Canada needs blood,” according to Canadian Blood Services' most updated stats.
A common condition that requires blood transfusions is cancer; every year, millions more people are diagnosed. Many of these patients will need blood daily throughout chemotherapy treatments, according to American Nation Red Cross.
Donating and Your Health Benefits
Donors can benefit from the donation process because it can help them to lose weight, improve iron levels and decrease risk of heart disease, according to Emma Robertson in an article for Mail Online.
For individuals trying to lose weight, donating blood will burn an extra 650 calories for every 500 mL that is donated. Additionally, in the following 48 hours after donation, the body uses energy to replenish the blood.
Robertson contends, “Individuals that have donated blood bi-annually have had lower incidence of cancer and mortality than those who didn't because donating blood lowers their iron levels.”
In fact, donating blood can lower risk of heart disease. “Researchers found in a sample size of 2,682 men in Finland, those who donated blood a minimum of once a year had an 88 per cent lower risk of heart attacks than those who did not donate,” according to Lizette Borreli in Medical Daily.
Volunteering to give to others who are in need impacts people positively, some donors have stated the feelings of being a hero because they have willingly saved a life. Donating blood would have an especially positive impact on the donor because it is a way of giving that will guaranteed to improve the health of another.
Weaken the Barriers
A common barrier to donation is “I am too busy to donate.” Donating only takes one hour of your day. Blood donor clinics can work around your schedule and you can book appointment for when you are available.
A second barrier is that possible donors are worried about their own blood levels. Simple education can clear up hazy ideas about blood loss. Healthy individuals who weigh over 112 lbs can have up to 12 pints in their body. Donors are able to donate every eight weeks without issues.
Saving a life is as easy as donating blood. One donation can save up to three lives, and one person can donate their blood up to six times a year, improving the quality of life for as many as 18 people, according to Canadian Blood Services.
People are often deterred from donations due to misconceptions and common barriers. With a little information to clear any vague ideas about the donation process and impacts, everyone can feel confident that
You can book appointments online to the closest donor clinic near you at donatenow.blood.ca or calling 1-888-236-6283. Fanshawe College has the Canadian Blood Services attend the school for your convenience. The next clinic will be held on October 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the FSU Alumni Lounge on the second floor of SC building.
DEBUNKING DONATING MYTHS
One myth is that the donor may have low iron and their health will be at risk if they attempt to give blood. The reality is that a donor's blood is checked before each donation. If and when iron levels are low, the volunteer will be asked by the nurse to donate on a different day. Low iron levels are normally short-term. If an individual is low in iron, the clinic will provide them with a list of foods that they can consume to boost their iron levels. Another myth is that if you have smoked tobacco products or use marijuana occasionally they are not eligible to donate. The truth is as long as you are not under the influence at the time of donation, it will not pollute the donation. Illegal drugs are only a factor if you have accepted drugs for sex, ingested cocaine or if you have injected a drug with a needle.
Donating blood is a reciprocal process; it is beneficial for the receiver who needs blood but surprisingly is also beneficial for the donor.
“Approximately every minute of every day someone in Canada needs blood,” according to Canadian Blood Services' most updated stats.
A common condition that requires blood transfusions is cancer; every year, millions more people are diagnosed. Many of these patients will need blood daily throughout chemotherapy treatments, according to American Nation Red Cross.
Donating and Your Health Benefits
Donors can benefit from the donation process because it can help them to lose weight, improve iron levels and decrease risk of heart disease, according to Emma Robertson in an article for Mail Online.
For individuals trying to lose weight, donating blood will burn an extra 650 calories for every 500 mL that is donated. Additionally, in the following 48 hours after donation, the body uses energy to replenish the blood.
Robertson contends, “Individuals that have donated blood bi-annually have had lower incidence of cancer and mortality than those who didn't because donating blood lowers their iron levels.”
In fact, donating blood can lower risk of heart disease. “Researchers found in a sample size of 2,682 men in Finland, those who donated blood a minimum of once a year had an 88 per cent lower risk of heart attacks than those who did not donate,” according to Lizette Borreli in Medical Daily.
Volunteering to give to others who are in need impacts people positively, some donors have stated the feelings of being a hero because they have willingly saved a life. Donating blood would have an especially positive impact on the donor because it is a way of giving that will guaranteed to improve the health of another.
Weaken the Barriers
A common barrier to donation is “I am too busy to donate.” Donating only takes one hour of your day. Blood donor clinics can work around your schedule and you can book appointment for when you are available.
A second barrier is that possible donors are worried about their own blood levels. Simple education can clear up hazy ideas about blood loss. Healthy individuals who weigh over 112 lbs can have up to 12 pints in their body. Donors are able to donate every eight weeks without issues.
Saving a life is as easy as donating blood. One donation can save up to three lives, and one person can donate their blood up to six times a year, improving the quality of life for as many as 18 people, according to Canadian Blood Services.
People are often deterred from donations due to misconceptions and common barriers. With a little information to clear any vague ideas about the donation process and impacts, everyone can feel confident that
You can book appointments online to the closest donor clinic near you at donatenow.blood.ca or calling 1-888-236-6283. Fanshawe College has the Canadian Blood Services attend the school for your convenience. The next clinic will be held on October 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the FSU Alumni Lounge on the second floor of SC building.
DEBUNKING DONATING MYTHS
One myth is that the donor may have low iron and their health will be at risk if they attempt to give blood. The reality is that a donor's blood is checked before each donation. If and when iron levels are low, the volunteer will be asked by the nurse to donate on a different day. Low iron levels are normally short-term. If an individual is low in iron, the clinic will provide them with a list of foods that they can consume to boost their iron levels. Another myth is that if you have smoked tobacco products or use marijuana occasionally they are not eligible to donate. The truth is as long as you are not under the influence at the time of donation, it will not pollute the donation. Illegal drugs are only a factor if you have accepted drugs for sex, ingested cocaine or if you have injected a drug with a needle.
