Story at a glance
- In January, American Red Cross declared that the United States is facing its “worst blood shortage in over a decade.”
- The country saw a 10 percent drop in blood donations from the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
- The medical director for American Red Cross spoke with Changing America about blood donation misconceptions and how to prepare to donate.
In January, American Red Cross declared that the United States is facing its “worst blood shortage in over a decade.” The country saw a 10 percent drop in blood donations from the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, amid the omicron surge, securing blood donations has been further complicated by staffing shortages, canceled blood drives, and donor turnout plummeting as people attempt to limit the possibility of coronavirus exposure.
As COVID-19 infections have begun to decrease, American Red Cross is working to address common misconceptions on blood donation and how to best prepare for donation to help end the blood shortage.
Physician Baia Lasky, the medical director for American Red Cross, spoke with Changing America to address these misconceptions and offer advice on how to prepare.
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You can’t donate blood because you have a fear of needles.
“Many say they are afraid of needles — which is understandable,” Lasky said. “But most donors say they only feel a slight pinch initially. The process itself is relatively easy and only takes a matter of minutes. After one donation, most wonder why they ever hesitated to give in the first place.”
There are height and weight requirements that can make you ineligible.
This is true. “You must weigh at least 110 pounds to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety,” said Lasky. “Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation.”
There are some additional height and weight requirements for student donations at high schools for students 18 or younger (you must be 17 to donate blood, or 16 with guardian permission in some states) in girls shorter than 5’6″ and boys shorter than 5′. However, there is no maximum weight limit.
You fear you will need to drastically alter your physical activity to donate blood.
This is only partially true. Donors are encouraged to avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting after donating — but only for about a day. Your body needs time to replenish the fluids it’s lost donating, which puts you at a higher risk of dehydration for a short period of time. This dehydration risk could, if the body were to overly exert itself doing such physical activity, possibly lead you to faint. To avoid this risk, take the day off to rest and replenish.
You are a gay or bisexual man.
There are restrictions in place by the Food and Drug Administration that can make gay and bisexual men ineligible to donate. The FDA prohibits anyone who has had sex with a gay or bisexual man from donating blood for three months after. This has faced renewed pushback by officials and advocates in face of the current blood crisis.
You recently got a tattoo or piercing.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t donate. This varies by state but if you received your tattoo from a licensed, state-regulated tattoo shop that used new sterile needles and previously unopened ink, you may still be able to donate. If not, you can still donate a year after your last tattoo.
Similarly, if you were pierced at a regulated facility with a sterile needle, you are still eligible to donate.
You don’t know your blood type.
That’s OK. Your blood will be tested to identify your blood type, and you will receive a donor card in the mail including your blood type about six weeks after your donation.
You donated blood previously and became ill during the process (i.e. nausea, fainting, etc.)
“Occasionally, some donors may experience a slight temporary reaction such as feeling light-headed or dizzy. This is rare and if a donor experiences this kind of reaction, it does not mean it will happen every time,” Lasky said. “We do absolutely encourage individuals to try donating again.”
She added, “Individuals can help ensure a positive experience by hydrating and eating a meal before donation. You can also request to lay flat with your feet elevated during your donation which can help minimize any potential reaction. You may also find it helpful to engage in an activity that will distract you during the donation, such as reading or playing a game.”
You’ve decided to donate blood but don’t know how to prepare.
“Before a donation it is important to take a few steps to help ensure a good experience. Donors are advised to get a good night’s sleep, drink lots of water starting the day before, and eat a meal before you go to the blood drive,” said Lasky. “If you tend to have low iron, avoiding caffeine and eating iron rich foods in the weeks leading to your donation can help give you an extra boost of iron. And most importantly, relax.”
Why is it so important for you to donate blood?
“Statistics show that about 97 percent of us know someone who has received a blood transfusion, so the need for blood touches nearly all of us whether we realize it or not,” said Lasky. “Donated blood makes many modern medical treatments and procedures possible and helps save thousands of lives each year.”
“Blood can’t be manufactured; it can only come from generous volunteers willing to roll up a sleeve and give about an hour of time. By giving blood, you could help accident victims, new mothers who hemorrhage in childbirth, cancer patients, those in need of surgeries and transplants, and those being treated for disorders like sickle cell disease,” Lasky added. “You never know who your blood might help, but each donation has the potential to save more than one life and touch countless others. It’s the easiest way to make a big difference for others in need.”
Someone receives a blood transfusion in the U.S. every two seconds. You can find a blood donation center or blood drive near you on the American Red Cross website.
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