Did you know?
- Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
- More than 44,000 blood donations are needed every day.
- More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
- A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. There is no substitute for blood. The community relies on donors. Please consider helping to maintain a safe and stable blood supply in our community.
- It turns out that a lot of states rely on blood from NC!
10 Blood Donation Facts – Busted
- Myth: Donating blood is time-consuming.
- Fact: In reality, the whole process usually takes about an hour, including registration, a brief medical check-up, donation, and refreshments afterward.
- Myth: Donating blood is painful.
- Fact: The discomfort is minimal and brief, akin to a pinprick. Most donors report feeling a slight sting during insertion, but it’s a small price to pay for saving lives.
- Myth: I’m too old or too young to donate blood.
- Fact: As long as you’re over 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds, you can donate blood. There’s no upper age limit as long as you’re in good health.
- Myth: People with tattoos or piercings can’t donate blood.
- Fact: As long as the tattoo or piercing was done at a licensed facility and it’s been more than a year since the procedure, most blood banks will accept your donation.
- Myth: I can’t donate blood if I’ve recently traveled.
- Fact: While some travel destinations may defer your donation temporarily due to concerns about malaria or other infections, many travelers can donate blood as soon as they return home.
- Myth: Donating blood frequently is bad for your health.
- Fact: Blood donation actually has health benefits for the donor, including reducing the risk of heart disease and certain cancers by lowering iron levels in the blood.
- Myth: I don’t have a rare blood type, so my donation won’t make a difference.
- Fact: Every donation counts, regardless of blood type. In emergencies, all blood types are needed, and your donation could save multiple lives through fractionation.
- Myth: I can’t donate blood if I have a cold or the flu.
- Fact: As long as you’re feeling well and have no fever or symptoms of infection, you can usually donate blood. Even if you have a mild cold, it’s safe to donate.
- Myth: Donating blood is only for emergencies.
- Fact: While blood is crucial in emergencies, it’s also needed for patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, organ transplants, and those with chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease.
- Myth: I’m afraid of needles, so I can’t donate blood.
- Fact: Fear of needles is common, but many donors find that the satisfaction of helping others outweighs any discomfort. Blood donation staff are trained to help nervous donors and make the experience as comfortable as possible.
To find out if you are eligible to donate blood, visit the American Red Cross.
To give blood: you must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and have NOT donated blood in the last 8 weeks
