Blood Donors Save Lives!

Most people don’t think of themselves as heroes. They reserve those accolades for firemen, police officers and doctors. At the Medical Foundation, blood donors are referred to as heroes.  They’re heroes because they selflessly donate blood to help others they may have never even met.

Approximately 38% of the general population is eligible to donate blood, yet of that 38%, only 5% actually donate blood. And while 5% donate blood, approximately 75% of the population will receive blood at some point in life. Those statistics are rather alarming when you think about it!

Donating blood doesn’t cost anything, it only takes about 45 minutes and you are helping to save the lives of other people. So why don’t more people donate blood?

According to a study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, the number one answer is, “I don’t like or am afraid of needles; I’m afraid to give blood.” Other reasons include being too busy, no one ever asked me, I didn’t realize blood was needed and I already gave last year.  

Many times at mobile blood drives or at our donor centers, a first time donor will be scared and hesitant to donate because he or she doesn’t like needles. It’s a fear of the unknown! However, just about every first time donor is pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t nearly as bad as they anticipated and they end up being return donors. After all, the actual donation time is only 5-10 minutes with paperwork and time for juice and cookies accounting for the other 30-40 minutes.  Phlebotomists at the Medical Foundation are experienced in their field and stick anywhere from 5-25 donors each day!  So don’t be worried, you are in good hands.

Do you know what blood type you are? If you don’t, we’ll tell you!  You may have heard on the news or seen on billboards the need for O- which is a blood type the Foundation is in need of constantly.  O- is given to patients who are in need of blood in the trauma units because it can be given to anyone. 

Look at our blood compatibility chart to see which type of blood can be given to recipients.  O- is the universal donor and is in high demand, yet only 7% of the population has this type of blood. 

Blood donors are eligible to give a unit of blood every 56 days.  One misconception people have about donating blood is that a unit of blood is good for ever.  However, a unit of whole blood is only viable for transfusion up to 42 days.  Often times, especially with type O and A blood, it is often off of the shelves in a matter of days instead of weeks.

Another misconception is that people can’t donate blood if they are on medication.  There are only a handful of medications that can cause donors to be deferred and medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol is not on that list.

We’re proud of our donors and we’re very appreciative for the time and blood that they donate at the Foundation. If you are ready to take the plunge and roll up your sleeve, visit our blood donor website and learn more about the qualifications and process.  Walk-ins are welcome at any of our locations and some mobile blood drives, but if you would like to make an appointment you may do so on the website or you may call 574.234.1157.