Every hospital employee knows how vitally important it is to have blood on hand for emergencies, and this is certainly understood for our lab employees. But how many of us take the time to donate blood on a regular basis?
We know what you are thinking: I hate needles. Let’s be fair – nobody likes needles. They hurt and can be scary. However, it costs you nothing other than a moment’s discomfort to donate and only takes up an hour of your time to help someone in need.
Here are some interesting facts about blood donations:
- 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives.
- You can donate blood for a specific patient (with a doctor’s prescription).
- It only takes about an hour to donate blood.
- Donated plasma only takes about 24 hours to be replaced within your body. Red blood cells need about 4-6 weeks for complete replacement.
- Someone needs blood every 3 seconds in this country. An average of 40,000 units are needed every day in the US and there is no substitute for human blood.
- 60% of the population will need blood at some point in their lives, yet less than 5% of the population donates.
- A bleeding trauma patient can run through more than 100 units of blood.
- If all eligible donors would donate on a regular basis, four to six times a year, blood needs would be met and shortages would be a thing of the past.
Please contact the Red Cross to see about donating blood in your community. You will be glad you did.