Have you ever given blood? My first time was in seminary. A friend invited me along to Tachana Merkazit where Magen David Adom had a donation center. I’d thought of donating before but hadn’t known where to go so I was happy to tag along. (The irony was that she wasn’t eligible to donate after all but I was).
I’ve given blood several times since. I’ve also become somewhat of a spokesperson for the cause (I know, kind of an interesting topic of conversation for social gatherings). Many people are afraid of the idea of giving blood or don’t understand the need (there is a chronic shortage of blood stores and every donation is used) or precisely what donating entails. So here it is:
If you’re over 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are not taking a specified list of medications, you are most likely eligible to donate blood. During the summer months and around the winter holidays, blood stores are particularly low because regular donors often can’t or don’t come out. If you’d like to give it a try this summer, here’s some information on how it all goes down:
When you get to the donation center/blood drive (check here and here for locations, or contact your local bikur cholim), you’ll fill out a medical form and get a mini health screening – blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and hemoglobin. Once you’re cleared, you donate. The actual donation takes about 10-15 minutes. Eat and drink plenty beforehand and rest for a while after you give (when you think you’re ready to go, give it another 10 minutes). Drink plenty and take it easy for the rest of the day.
After you donate whole blood, your donation is sent to a laboratory where it is screened for several diseases (another free health screening) and divided into its four components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma (the highest percentage of volume of your blood). The white blood cells are discarded, as your personal immune cells cannot be introduced safely into another person’s bloodstream. Platelets can be stored for up to 5 days, red blood cells for up to 30, and plasma for up to a year. Depending on need, patients may receive specific blood components or whole blood transfusions. (Many blood centers allow you or encourage you to donate specific blood components, based on need).
I highly encourage anyone who can to donate blood. You can help alleviate someone’s suffering and possibly save their life through a simple procedure. New York Blood Center even sends text messages to let you know where and when your donation is being used. It’s very gratifying.
As a friend of mine put it, “Donating blood is an easy mitzvah that allows me to give of my healthy body.”
Have you ever given blood? Or considered it? What are your hesitations, if any?
