Did you know that donating one unit of blood saves up to three lives, and that someone needs blood every two seconds? Blood donation provides an irreplaceable resource that cannot be artificially manufactured, making it essential for patients who need transfusions due to surgery, trauma, or chronic illnesses. Red blood cells help restore oxygen-carrying capacity after acute blood loss. At the same time, platelets are vital for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and plasma supports patients with liver failure, serious infections, or severe burns. Even premature babies may require transfusions to increase red blood cell counts.
Donating blood has health benefits, too. Blood donations may benefit your heart by lowering iron levels in the blood (high levels can contribute to heart disease risk) and lowering blood pressure. If your iron level is too low, however, you will not be able to donate blood. Donating blood may also improve your mental health. People who regularly help others experience improved emotional well-being and physical health, and it is linked to lower stress levels, fewer negative feelings, and a sense of belonging.
Before donating blood, you will receive a quick health check. A healthcare provider will perform a simple physical exam and measure your heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and hemoglobin level. Your blood will be screened for certain contagious diseases including HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis. You will be notified if any are positive. Blood donation health screenings do not replace annual health physicals with your doctor, and the Red Cross does not diagnose medical conditions or offer treatment. Do not donate blood if you feel ill or are concerned that you may have a bloodborne illness.
Some people might not be able to donate blood due to their blood pressure, which must be lower than 180/100 and higher than 90/50 at the time of donation. Your pulse should be greater than 50 and not higher than 100. Women must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dl and men at least 13.0 g/dl.
Physical exam results vary throughout the day. Stress, nutrition, illness, hydration, weight, activity, environment, and even consumption of certain ingredients (i.e., salt or caffeine) can affect physical exam results. If your result does not meet the minimum/maximum requirement at the time of your attempted donation, you will not be permitted to donate.
If you are donating whole blood, you can do so every 56 days, up to six times a year. You must be in good health, feeling well, at least 16 years old, and weigh at least 110 lbs. A whole blood donation takes about 8–10 minutes, during which you’ll be seated comfortably or lying down while approximately a pint of whole blood is collected.
If you are making a Power Red donation, you can do so every 112 days, up to three times per year. Again, you must be in good health and feeling well. Male donors must be at least 17 years old and at least 5’1” tall and weigh at least 130 lbs. Female donors must be at least 19 years old, at least 5’3” tall, and weigh at least 150 lbs. For a Power Red donation, a device uses a single-use kit to collect two units of packed red blood cells and return your plasma, along with saline, through the same sterile needle in about 45 minutes.
If you plan to donate blood, eat iron-rich foods such as red meat, chicken, seafood, beans, quinoa, spinach, chickpeas, lentils, peas, and pumpkin seeds. Vitamin C also helps absorb iron, so eat vitamin-rich foods like oranges, citrus fruit, bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, papayas, broccoli, tomatoes, kale, and snow peas. It’s also recommended that you drink plenty of water before donating.
On Wednesday, September 16, from 12 to 6 PM, St. Therese will host a Red Cross blood drive as part of our effort to help with blood shortages. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code sttherese, or call 1-800-733-2767. Although appointments are preferred, we will accommodate walk-ins if time permits.
