Donating blood has got to be without doubt one of the easiest ways to give something back and feel good about yourself. You don’t have to raise sponsor money, or find time to train for a race. Neither of which I mind, don’t get me wrong, having done both on several occasions. I’m just aware of the good intentions that run through my head, as well as conversations I’ve had with friends and family, that seldom get acted on.
According to research carried out by The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Programme.
• Only 5% of eligible donors across the nation donate blood, but the number of transfusions nationwide increases by 9% every year. • Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. • Blood can not be manufactured it is your gift. • The need for blood increases during holidays and the summer months. • The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program has to buy nearly a quarter (25%) of its blood products from the American Red Cross to help meet the needs of patients and to prevent postponing surgeries.
This tickled me bearing in mind today’s apparent diet obsessed society.
• You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood!
I donated last Thursday at the Rhodes Centre in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. The website makes it so easy to find your local donation center and book an appointment, offering a huge range of dates and times, for your convenience. It couldn’t be any easier. I don’t understand why more people don’t take advantage of this opportunity to feel good, why are the statistics so low? Please keep an eye out for my follow up article later in the week.
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"I regularly donate blood as I like to think that if I'm ever in the position where myself, or a friend or a member of my family needs a blood transfusion that there'll be enough of the right blood to heal them. Sure, it's not the most pleasant of experiences but it doesn't hurt at all and like Vicky said, it genuinely makes you feel as if you've done something to help others. Because you have. Get onto the website and donate: www.blood.co.uk"
"I have had blood transfusions on 2 sperate occasions. Both times i had 7 units. I would not be here without the selflessness of blood donors. I have managed to convince some of my family and friends to donate blood, but still some are lazy or frightened. It doesnt take long to donate, it doesnt hurt, you get a free cup of tea and you genuinely make a difference to people's lives. Unfortunately I may never get to give blood because of my illness and drugs I take, but I will always try to get people to go and donate on my behalf. A little bit of a shove in the right direction is what most people need."