
The four main types of blood are: Type A, Type B, Type AB, and Type O. Researchers theorize this reduced risk could be because blood donation helps lower blood viscosity, thereby lowering the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke.Īdditionally, donating blood allows donors to learn their own blood type – helpful info if you’re ever in need of a blood transfusion due to an emergency. Other studies have suggested that donating blood can actually lower donors’ risk for cardiovascular disease. That’s because the built-in health screening and blood pressure checkups that occur before any blood donation procedure often alert donors to potential health concerns before they become severe. But the process of donating blood also offers several advantages for the donor, including better health. Benefits of blood donation includes donorsīlood donation is lifesaving for patients who require additional healthy blood, platelets, plasma or red blood cells. Many sickle cell patients will require one or more blood transfusions throughout their lives to survive. This chronic, hereditary condition results in a lack of oxygen-rich blood, which can cause organ damage or even death. 3. Patients with sickle cell anemiaĪccording to the American Red Cross, sickle cell anemia – also known as sickle cell disease – affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. According to the Red Cross, five units of blood are needed every minute – that’s 7,200 units daily – to help someone going through cancer treatment in the U.S. Patients who are battling leukemia or lymphoma – or who are receiving chemotherapy for other types of non-blood cancers – often rely on donations of whole blood, platelets, plasma, or red blood cells when their ability to produce healthy red and white blood cells is negatively affected. Whole blood donation helps provide life-saving blood to patients who’ve lost large amounts of their own blood in an accident. Trauma patientĪccording to the American Red Cross, a car accident victim may need as many as 100 units of blood during their trauma recovery. When you give whole blood, your donation can be broken down into its component parts – plasma, platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells – to help patients who need them.Ĭurious about how your blood donation helps? Here are just a few examples: 1. If you are at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and are in good overall health, you can donate whole blood. It’s important to understand that there are four types of blood donation, with whole blood donation being the most common type. “Blood donors are true heroes, and their selflessness saves lives every day.” The importance of blood donation

“We rely on donated blood for so many essential healthcare procedures,” says Lynn Onesty, System Director of Laboratory Services.=.

Donating blood saves lives.īlood donation is a quick, relatively painless procedure that offers a simple – but profound – way to help others. On the fence about becoming a blood donor? Don’t be.
