Do Good! Donate Blood! Help Out!

Do Good! Donate Blood! Help Out!

Today I want to share some thoughts on the topic of blood. I am sure the vampires among you sitting at home in dark rooms are very interested. BUT this goes out to all healthy individuals that are willing to help out and do something good (and maybe even benefit themselves from it…). Although this does not directly have anything to do with athletic recovery, it can help others in need. Personally, I have only had excellent experiences when donating blood and was taken care of nicely. However, some people also have side effects like dizziness, nausea, or a bruise from the needle. This was not the case for me, though, and I really recommend finding a free timeslot and donating some blood. 

What is Blood Donation?

In case this is the first time you have heard of blood donation, let me tell you a little more about it. Blood donation is exactly what you imagine it to be. You go to your local blood-donating facility (usually the Red Cross), sit down, get poked by a needle, and leave the place after about 10 minutes with 450ml (15 fl. Oz.) less in your body. This might sound a little intense at first, but don’t worry, you have enough blood. The blood-volume of a healthy average weight human is approximately 8% of her or his body weight. If you weigh about 75kg (165 lbs), you will have about 6 liters (1.6 gallons) of blood. However, there are differences due to age and sex, for example.

Once you donated your blood, it can be stored for about 42 days. This means hospitals cannot just deposit blood forever and require a constant supply. FYI, you can donate blood 5-6 times a year. 

What is a Blood Donation used for?

To put it short: Your blood helps people in need! This can be for blood transfusions for people who have suffered severe injuries and need blood in surgery, childbirth, cancer treatments, and many more cases. In case you are interested in the journey your donated blood takes, here you go.

Ok, fine, now tell me how I can do it!

Well, first of all, you need to fulfill some criteria:

- At least 16 years old

- Be healthy and feeling well

- Weigh at least 50kg (110 lbs)

(Full Criteria)

If you meet these essential criteria, just find the nearest blood donation spot near you! The Red Cross blood donation website of your local country will lead you to the closest site (e.g., USA, Germany).

Why you and I should donate blood.

First of all, it is a good cause and you really help out people in need. Furthermore, suppose you twist that thought around. In that case, if you ever find yourself in an extreme situation (let’s hope you do not), you will be happy that there are people out there donating blood that can save your life. In many cases, you also get a donor card. The card has details as your blood type and can be useful in the before-mentioned situations. 

Blood donations have also shown to benefit your physical health, reduce stress, and improve your emotional well-being. Also, your blood is also tested for diseases as hepatitis B, C, HIV, Syphilis, and more.  

BONUS!!! PLASMA!

There is a great opportunity I haven’t shared with you yet. It is called blood plasma. Like blood donations, plasma can also help people in need, so you would be donating for a good cause. However, you are usually compensated for donating plasma. This varies by country and sometimes by the amount you donate but is generally between $20 and $50 per donation. Also, you can donate weekly! Donating plasma could send you on a nice vacation, and you are doing something good. Plasma donations take a little longer (45-75 minutes) as some blood is extracted, sent through a centrifuge (where plasma is separated from the red blood cells). Then the red blood cells are sent back into your veins. 

 Here is a picture from my plasma donation. You can see the centrifuge and the plasma (dark yellow) in a bag. 

Take a minute to look into where your nearest blood donation center, make an appointment and donate some blood! Let me know your thoughts in the comments and share your blood donation experience in our community.