EVERYONE CAN GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE!

[Bank of Blood.com]

Make donating blood with regularity a part of your life. The process
is simple and safe. Minority groups have something special to give.
Different groups of people have different percentages of blood types.
Thus, it is important that every ethnic group participate in blood
donation programs. Remember: you can save the life of a friend, a
neighbor, and also a family member.

Who can donate blood?
All donors must be at least 17 years old or older.
All donors must weigh 100 lbs. or more. Donors who undergo apheresis
should weigh at least 110 lbs.
All donors must be in good health. You can still donate if you are
taking medication although it depends on your state of health and the
type of medication.
Who cannot donate blood?
Some people can be deferred from donating blood temporarily or
permanently. Some of these reasons are:

Temporarily Deferred: People who:

Have had a heart attack in the last six to twelve months.
Have had malaria in the last three years.
Have visited areas where malaria is found in the last year.
Have received blood, plasma or other types of components in the last
year.
Have been tattooed in the last year.
Have had cardiac surgery in the last year or those who have not
completely recuperated from the surgery and who are taking
cardiovascular medicine.
Have been exposed to someone with hepatitis within the last year.
Are not feeling well the day of the blood donation.
Have taken antibiotics within the last 24 to 72 hours.
***Women who are pregnant or have had an abortion in the last 6 weeks
are temporarily deferred***

Permanently Deferred : People who:

Have had hepatitis at age eleven or older.
Have received chemotherapy or radiation for the treatment of cancer.
Are at high risk of contracting the HIV virus/AIDS.
Due to current concerns with bovine spongiform encephalopathy and new-
variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, blood centers are deferring donors
who spent any cumulative period of 3 or more months in the United
Kingdom from 1980 through 1996. Please consult your regional blood
center regarding other possible deferral policies.

The donor procedure is simple:

First, you want to register and answer a series of questions
concerning your medical history.
Second, you will take a health examination and your pulse, blood
pressure, temperature and iron level will be measured.
When you donate, you will feel a little pain from the prick of the
needle. The donation process will take 10-15 minutes.
After donating, you will relax for a minute while you are being served
cookies and juice.

Advice for first-time donors:

Anxiety and fears are normal. Many people are afraid of donating
blood. Once you have donated, you will overcome your fears. Asking
questions helps to relax. Visualize this experience as an opportunity
to help at least three people who are ill.

Before donating, you should know…

What is the first step? You will need to give basic information such
as your name, address, age, etc. You will also be asked about your
medical history and then a drop of your blood will be analyzed for
iron level. Your pulse, blood pressure and temperature will also be
checked.
How long does blood donation take? The duration is 10-15 minutes, not
including the time you will need to relax. The total process will take
about 35 to 45 minutes.
How will I feel after donating blood? The majority of people feel
fine, especially donors who have eaten a regular meal before donating.
When you are done, drink lots of liquids within the next 24 hours.
Can I donate during my menstrual period? Yes, if you feel fine.
How soon can I play sports? Avoid muscle exercises, rough movements
and heavy activities such as weight lifting or picking up objects the
first 4-5 hours after the donation.
What is the waiting period from one blood donation to the next? The
waiting period to donate blood is 56 days (you can donate up to 6
times per year).
Are there any possibilities of contracting the HIV virus or other
infections? No. All of the materials used for the collection of blood
are new and have never been used before. All of the materials are
thrown away immediately after they are used.
***About 4,000,000 persons will need blood this year, which
corresponds to one person every 12 seconds***

In donating blood, you are converted into a hero in many ways.

Your donation can save the lives of up to 3 patients. These patients
can have cancer, be victims of accidents, be in need of organ
transplants or have chronic illnesses.
Sometimes blood can be utilized to replace lost blood from people in
life or death situations.
Plasma, the yellow liquid portion of the blood, reduces bleeding
through coagulation factors.
The platelets that also assist in the coagulation are fragile cells
that are needed by patients with leukemia and other cancers. These
platelets should be transfused within the first five days after the
donation.
The red cells help to treat anemia and increases the blood's ability
to transport oxygen during surgical procedures.
How is blood used?

Your pint of blood has the possibility of saving lives. This is how it
works:
Red cells are used during surgery or after an accident to replace the
blood volume and maintain the oxygen flow in all the cells of the
body.
Plasma can be given to victims from burns and accidents to increase
intravascular volume. Derivatives of plasma are used for the treatment
of hemophilia and other blood diseases.
Platelet transfusions are frequently utilized to replace platelets
destroyed during chemotherapy for treatment of leukemia and other
forms of cancer.