Yesterday I celebrated my good health and paid back society for the many times Isabel needed blood transfusions. I have type O negative which is the universal blood type that anyone can receive. In an emergency, a person may need blood to survive. If their blood type is not known, type O negative blood is given to them. When emergency situations such as car accidents or shootings occur, type O negative blood inventories can be used up quickly.
Many people consider it a right to receive blood when needed, but don't often consider the responsibility of giving blood to maintain the community supply for others. To meet patient need, over 6 million blood donations must be collected each year. One out of every ten people entering a hospital needs blood.
For our family, our friends, and for strangers in need, we must share blood resources. We need more donors, and we need donors to give blood more often. If half the people who donate one time a year were to donate a second time, we would not have shortages of blood.
People donate primarily because it makes them feel good to help save lives. Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation.
When you make a blood donation, you join a very select group. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood.
About 95% of people living to the age of 72 will need a blood transfusion at some time in their life, yet only 5% of the population donates blood.Isabel would have died without blood transfusions. Please consider becoming a blood donor and celebrate your own good health while helping save lives.
Don't you have to wait a year after you get a new tattoo before you donate blood?
ReplyDeleteYou should wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. It is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile technique. Only a few states currently regulate tattoo facilities, so most donors with tattoos must wait 12 months after tattoo application before donating blood. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.
ReplyDeleteAll blood that is donated is screened for diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis and other common blood-born ailments. However, it goes without saying that it is a waste of the blood bank's and the donor's time to harvest blood that is tainted and thus worthless. In order to avoid wasted time, they ask these questions to screen the potential donor.
Although tattooing and piercing are much safer than some medical professionals like to indicate, there is still always a chance of getting and carrying a disease unknowingly. Especially Hepatitis, which has been the object of many heated arguments and stringent regulations.
If you should happen to contract a disease from a tattoo or piercing, it should show up in a screening after 12 months, which is the reason for the waiting period.
The only exception to the waiting period rule is if the tattoo was received in a state that regulates the tattoo industry. Currently, only a few states do this, but laws are always changing so contact your local blood bank to find out if you live in one of these states. In more recent months, some blood banks have relaxed their eligibility rules in regards to tattoos, so there is also the slight chance one of these donation centers are in your area. Contacting them is always the best way to know for sure.
Thanks for donating! :) My baby Tyler has Leukemia and is 0 positive. He can only get O blood, so it's nice seeing people donate since there's often a shortage since people use O for anyone who needs it also!
ReplyDelete