Today, Danielle Anderson from Lifesouth came to talk to us about the blood drive. We learned about the process of giving blood and why giving blood is so important: there is no replacement for blood. Sure, you can get yourself metal kneecaps once your knees have finally given out, but blood is made in the body and supports it and it's needed to live. Life South donates blood to hospitals that must keep blood on shelves at all times in case of mass casualties or emergencies.
There are four main blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Types O and A are the most popular blood types, so it's good to donate them if you have them because many people need them. Every three seconds, someone needs blood! It's in high demand because life is so short and vulnerable. Just one blood donation can save three lives!
The process of giving blood is very simple really. You are supposed to eat a lot the morning of the blood drive, and once you get there, you are given chips and a drink to hold you over and make sure you don’t faint. Next, they lower your blood pressure and ask questions about your health, traveling, or if you have any tattoos or piercings. They prick your finger, learn your blood type, seat you in a chair, feel for your vein, scrub your arm for thirty seconds, and stick your arm with a needle for twelve minutes. Only twelve minutes and people still complain! Imagine a little three-year-old cancer patient who has to go through TWELVE hours of chemotherapy treatment! It's important to try to help others and give blood because it saves lives, like the little three-year-old cancer patient, and many more.
It also has benefits for the person giving blood. If a man donates blood twice a year, he lowers his risk of heart attack by 26%. Because they are given blood regularly, it reduces their iron levels which often leads to heart and blood problems. Women don’t have to worry as much about this because they are already losing blood when menstruating, but later in life when they don’t anymore, it’s often advised to start giving blood twice a year.
Giving blood mutually benefits both sides of the donation and helps save lives. If you can, definitely go down to Lifesouth and donate.
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