Every two seconds, someone in the US needs donated blood. Donated blood is used for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. It truly is nothing short of lifesaving! Additionally, donating doesn’t just affect the receiver. Donating blood helps the donor, too. Let’s take a look at the benefits of donating blood.
Which Blood Type are You? Click Here
Surprising Benefits of Donating Blood
1. Free Health Screenings
Before you are allowed to donate blood, your vital signs will be checked to make sure everything looks good before you donate. A trained staff member will check for
- blood pressure
- pulse
- body temperature
- hematocrit or hemoglobin levels
The health screen will detect any condition or risk factors that need immediate medical attention, such as high blood pressure or heart arrhythmia. Symptoms of high blood pressure often go unseen because the condition is very hard to diagnose without the expertise of a medical professional. High blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and other medical complications when left untreated.
2. Detect Certain Disease
When donating, all blood for transfusion is tested for evidence of certain infectious disease pathogens. So that means your blood will test for infectious diseases that you may be unaware of. These can include:
- HIV
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Syphilis
3. Find Out Your Blood Type
Do you know what blood type is safe for you if you need a transfusion? It’s important to know this information because if you ever face surgery or any other medical situation where a transfusion is needed, blood type can mean the difference between life and death.
So how are blood types determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens, substances that can trigger an immune response? Safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood types and cross-matching. At SBMF, every blood unit is tested to identify the donor’s blood group (A, B, AB, O) and Rh type.
4. A Happier, Longer Life
Helping others feels good. People who donate blood often feel better about themselves because they are helping others. Altruism and volunteering have been linked to positive health outcomes such as
- reducing stress
- benefiting your physical health
- improving emotional well-being
- providing a sense of belonging and reducing isolation
Donate Blood Today at South Bend Medical Foundation
Millions of people need blood transfusions each year, saving lives, and on top of that, there are benefits of donating blood that affect you too. Giving blood can make a huge difference in lives for both you and the receivers. South Bend Medical Foundation encourages all those who can to donate blood when possible. Interested in donating? Schedule an appointment with us today!
