Give Blood
- ciaralitchfield
- Jul 11, 2014
- 4 min read
The Facts
Over 25%of us will require blood at least once in our lifetime but only 4% of adults are currently donors.
When you give blood just under a pint is taken, which you can easily spare as your body contains between 8-12 pints. Your fluid level will be replaced within 24 hours and your body will work over the next few weeks to build your red blood cell count back up.
This pint of blood can help up to 3 people in need whether they have been in a accident or are suffering from Cancer. Some blood may be used for studies to help people with clotting or Bone Marrow disorders.
As you can imagine January is the busiest month for donors honouring New Year’s resolutions. But why wait? Like me 8% of donors are donating for the first time and will hopefully continue to do so in the future.
Men can donate blood every 12 weeks while women will have to wait 16.
Once you have given blood you will be send a donor card which will show your blood type, if you don’t already know it. The rarest blood type is B- which only 2% of the population have.
Blood type is given according to the ABO system. For safe transfusion blood type must be matched to the person, any errors may be fatal. Group O is a universal donator meaning it can be used to help all other blood types. People with type O blood can only accept type O blood which isn’t usually a problem as this is the most common blood type so stores are usually highest. Group A can donate to A or AB and receive from O or other A’s. Group B can donate to B or AB and receive from O or other B’s. Group AB can only donate to AB but can receive blood from any group making it a universal acceptor.
My Experience
I have been meaning to give blood for a long time but like many of us haven’t got round to it. I received a letter through my door informing me that my local blood stores were low. I decided to go for it!
I filled in a health questionnaire sent to me and brought it along with me to the donation centre. I had booked an appointment online so didn’t have to wait long. I was given a welcome book to read which informed me of what happens to my blood and how best to recover.
I was asked to drink 500ml of water and a blood prick test was taken from my finger. This sample was then dropped into a tube of blue liquid; my blood sank to the bottom indicating my haemoglobin levels were high enough.
I was then taken to the next room and sat in a chair. The chair was decline so I was comfortable and my arm nut onto a wrest by my side. The young phlebotomist cleaned my arm with an alcoholic swab and looked for a vein. Unfortunately for me none showed up on my left arm so I had to offer up my right. He then told me to take a deep breath and the needle was inserted. It stang like with a normal blood test so wasn’t too surprising. The needle was visible into my arm which made me feel and bit weak but the tubes were neatly taped to me arm and out of the way.
I had told myself I wouldn’t look as im a bit of a fainter when it comes to these things but I couldn’t help it. It took me by surprise how was the blood rushed through the tubes. 3 samples were then taken into tubes like in a normal test. I was told these would be used to check my health and give me my blood type.
Once the tubes were removed the blood was directed into a bag like the ones you see in hospitals on a IV drip. The bag had some kind of clear reagent in it and was placed in a basket that swung slowly. I imagine this was to ensure the blood and reagent was mixed through the process. I was told to do ‘bum clenches’ throughout to keep my blood pressure up.
The man told me that the whole process would take a max of 15 mins but the time could be reduced by pumping my fist open and close, which I did! The whole process took only 8 minutes for most of which I was fine. In the last minute I felt a bit queezy and pins and needles had set in on my arm. The old man in the seat next to me ensured me the bag was almost full so I just closed my eyes and sucked it up.
By the time the bag was full I had gone as pale as a sheet to the 2 phlebotomists calmed me down while the needle was removed. A dressing was applied with instructions to leave it for 6 hours. On top of this was pressure dressing like a think tube of cotton wool, this needed to be left for 30 minutes. The younger one joked that they had bet I would get to the end so he was very impressed. The older sat next to me with a fan and gave me cups of juice until my colour came back. They told me to stay on the bed until I felt better and were really nice.
When I felt I could stand I was moved to a ‘rest room’ where I was given more juice and some snacks along with other donors. They told me to keep doing my bum clenches (no one could keep a straight face) and to drink lots of water. After all my questions were answered they thanked me and let me go.
My arm was a bit achy for the rest of the day but the next morning felt fine and the bruise was absolutely tiny, indicating a large amount of skill on the team’s part.
I will 100% be returning for future donations and I hope some of you will join me. I was in and out in a hour and there is really nothing to be scared about just think of all the good it will do. Good luck!
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