4. "I'm afraid of catching a disease."
Believe it or not, donating blood can actually help you lower your risk of disease. High blood iron levels have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, a leading killer in our country. Giving blood helps remove iron from the blood stream — so you’re actually doing yourself a favor by donating blood. Both your blood pressure and cholesterol are tested when you give blood, and since high blood pressure and cholesterol are commonly linked to heart disease, donating blood can help you and your physician prevent and deal with heart health issues. Recent international studies also suggest that giving blood frequently may lower the risk of cancer.
Giving blood is extremely safe — there’s no chance of getting a disease by donating blood. All equipment is sterile and used only once. Plus, as soon as the disposable equipment has been used to collect a donation, it is discarded in a container labeled as bio-hazardous.
That being said, there are a few steps you can take before and after blood donation to make it as safe and pleasant an experience as possible. Not only are blood donations vital – saving up to three lives, but donating gives you an excuse to eat a big (but still healthy) meal and take a day off from your workout routine! Taking a break from physical activity is recommended for a few hours up to a day after giving blood.
Drinking plenty of fluid before blood donation helps the process go faster, and drinking water or juice after donating will help you recover — so you can get back in action sooner rather than later. The Blood Bank of Hawaii reports that if you stay hydrated, the fluids you lose in blood donation will be replaced in less than a day! But the recipient of your donation will be thankful for a lifetime.
Donated blood is safer than ever, due largely to the careful screening of donors, who are privately screened to make sure they meet eligibility standards. Donated blood is also lab tested, which may help detect health issues that donors were previously unaware of so they can seek medical treatment.
In addition to being licensed and accredited by the FDA, Miller-Keystone Blood Center is accredited the American Association of Blood Banks, and the state departments of health in PA, NJ, NY and MD.
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