How to Be a Blood Donor

Have you ever thought about being a blood donor? Everyday thousands of people require blood transfusions for various reason including traumatic accidents, genetic disorders, cancer and so on. They often owe their lives to brave people who choose to be blood donors. In this article you will learn how to be one of those lifesaving people.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your own blood
• About an hour of time

1. Determine if you are allowed to be a blood donor. Certain criteria have to be met before you can be considered. This criteria includes: being 17 years old or older, having a body weight of over 110 pounds, and being considered an overall healthy person. There are other specific problems which can eliminate you from being a blood donor, but if you meet the simple criteria listed above the it is worth looking into

2. Call your local blood bank to set up an appointment to start the blood donation process. You will have to go through a medical exam and answer many different health and lifestyle questions before you donate. Don't worry, all information obtained by the blood bank staff during the blood donor process is strictly confidential.

3. 
   old time blood transfusion

   If you are approved as a blood donor then you can donate right after your health exam. The actual blood donation process is really fairly quick, usually under ten minuets. During the process you will be sitting down and a needle will go from a vein in your arm through a tube to a collection bag, your blood will flow from your arm into the bag.

4. After you have donated you will need to eat and drink to replace the blood that was removed from your body. Snacks are provided by the donation site. Make sure to take your time and stand up from the chair slowly. Everyone reacts differently to giving blood but it's not uncommon to feel faint.

Tips & Warnings

• You can typically donate blood every 8 weeks
• Giving blood is perfectly safe
• Take someone with you when you donate blood as you may not feel up to driving afterwards

Resources

• getting started on donating
• Red Cross

[GreenGardenChic]

on 11/13/2008 Great information. I just need to get past that needle thing so I can become a regular donor.

[jkg0679]

on 11/8/2008 Great advice. Thanks!

[gabrielleCPA]

on 10/30/2008 This is a great article, thanks for the information. It seems like every time I have tried to give blood there was a reason why I did not qualify but I will try again!

[2besure]

on 10/27/2008 It is a great thing to do for someone and I like the juice and cookie.

[LucyRN]

on 10/27/2008 Thanks for adding tips showpup! I also have needed blood transfusions but because of a blood disorder I am not able to give back, I'm really grateful to those who do donate!