January is National Blood Donor Month!

Blood donations hit a low every year during the winter months. In part because of bad weather and in part because winter is also the height of cold and flu season, blood banks and hospitals are in desperate need of blood to treat their patients. In the US, someone needs a blood transfusion every two seconds. Be a hero and donate blood in honor of National Blood Donor Month.

Fun Facts.

  • When donating blood, you can choose to donate either whole blood, platelets, or plasmas.
  • There are four types of blood. They are O, A, B, AB.
  • Type O negative is considered to be the universal donor because they can donate to blood types other than their own. This makes them the most sought after blood type.
  • Each pint of blood can save up to three lives.

Eligibility Requirement.

When you donate blood, you have to be healthy. Check out these eligibility requirements to make sure you’re able to donate.

  • Donors must be at least 17 years old.
  • Donors must be at least 110lb.
  • Donors must not have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the last 12 months.
  • Donors must not have recently traveled to a region where malaria is present.

For more information on eligibility requirements, check with the Red Cross.

Donation Preparation.

Once you’ve made sure you’re eligible to donate, prepare for your donation the night before. Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated, and eat lots of foods that are rich in iron to keep your hemoglobin levels healthy. Make sure to get a good night’s rest and don’t forget your I.D.

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