Why is donating blood so important?

Why is donating blood so important?

Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma – which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.

What is the most important blood to donate?

Whole Blood Types O negative and O positive are best suited to donate red blood cells. O negative is the universal blood type, meaning that anyone can receive your blood. And O- and O+ blood are both extra special when it comes to traumas where there is no time for blood typing.

Why you should never donate blood?

Other reasons you may not be able to donate blood: You’ve experienced hepatitis or jaundice in the last year. You’ve had certain types of cancer, or are being treated for cancer. Blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease disqualify you from donating, to protect both donor and recipient.

What disqualifies a person from giving blood?

You will be denied if your blood tests positive for: HIV-1, HIV-2, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-I, HTLV-II, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, West Nile Virus (WNV), and T. pallidum (syphilis). Blood donation is actually a quick and easy way to get tested for all of these things.

Is it healthy to give blood regularly?

A Healthier Heart and Vascular System Regular blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk for heart attacks. “It definitely helps to reduce cardiovascular risk factors,” says Dr. DeSimone.

What is special about O positive?

Type O positive blood is given to patients more than any other blood type, which is why it’s considered the most needed blood type. 38% of the population has O positive blood, making it the most common blood type. Those with O positive blood can only receive transfusions from O positive or O negative blood types.

Who Cannot donate blood?

Can donating blood affect your kidneys?

Would donating blood affect the test results? Blood donation will have a temporary effect on kidney function.

What are the benefits of having O positive blood type?

People with blood group O positive can donate blood only to people with positive blood groups — A+, B+, O+, AB+. They can only receive transfusions from O positive or O negative blood types. Some reports suggest that people with blood type O are at lower risk of having heart diseases.