The Power of Donating Blood

You can save a life – donate blood today!

Chris Laverdure, MBA, MLS (ASCP), CLS, Director of Lab Services at Sierra Medical Center

Did you know that every person can save up to three lives with a single blood donation? Whether that donation goes to support patients in surgery, a blood transfusion for cancer treatment, or individuals with rare blood disorders, blood is used daily in hospitals to care for patients.

Is it safe to donate blood?

Blood donation is a safe process, with strict guidelines that are followed to ensure safety and infection prevention of all donors. If you are 17 years or older, or 16 years old with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds, are in good health, and have not donated blood in the last eight weeks, you may be eligible to donate. Additional considerations include:

• You may be required to wait a few weeks to donate blood after certain vaccinations.
• Potential donors with certain diseases or health conditions should consult with their doctor before donating.
• You are unable to donate if you received a blood transfusion in the last three months.
• You are ineligible to donate if you have used an injectable drug in the last three months.

What to expect when donating blood

The blood donation process is comprised of five stages:

• Registration: Be sure to bring a primary form of identification to your donation appointment. Once registered in the system, you will be asked to read and complete required paperwork.
• Mini-Physical: After completing questions about your health history, you will receive a general health check where your vitals, including blood pressure and iron levels, are checked.
• Donation: Site staff will help get you comfortable for the duration of your donation. The actual donation usually takes about eight to 10 minutes.
• Refreshment and Recovery: After donating, you are asked to remain at the donation site for 10-15 minutes to ensure no adverse effects are felt before leaving. Most sites will have snacks and drinks available to aid in your recovery.
• Testing: After your donation is complete, your blood is tested and sent to a patient in need.

As blood is always needed, one person’s donation at an hour appointment can be all that is needed to save a life.