My post today is a little different from my regular posts. My post will include some statistics that are applicable in Canada, and I hope you will check and see what they are in your country (they may be similar – I would like to know).
30 Second Video – that’s all
This post is about giving saving lives by donating blood once-a-year.
Cancer patients, transplant recipients, accident victims. For these people and so many more, a timely transfusion of blood can be the lifesaving difference.
Donating blood is a selfless act, and I would suggest to you that an annual tradition to donate annually like now in December would be a wonderful tradition. The person you save could be your neighbour or a family member.
Imagine if someone you love needed surgery but the blood components just weren’t there? Once a year is a small sacrifice, invite a friend to go with you.
It costs nothing to do except a few minutes and your body replenishes itself amazingly quickly. Find out about the ONE hour process and book an appointment HERE.
It’s something you can do today to ensure someone else is waking up healthy tomorrow.
My father has a rare blood type, and he told me that if all the eligible people gave blood, then everyone would only need to donate once every TEN YEARS.
Most eligible people for donating blood don’t.
Only a fraction of Canadians are registered donors. Depending on where you live, there are different ways to register and decide what you want to donate. Learn here.
Half of all Canadians are fit to donate blood, but only 1 in 60 Canadians gave blood last year. Our organ donation rates are also lower than many countries, including the United States.
Quick link to check your eligibility – click here
The need for donors in Canada
In Canada, 52% of people say they or a family member have needed blood or blood products at some point in their lives. Our country also needs organ and tissue donors, but not enough Canadians have made plans to donate – 4500 people are waiting.
The need for blood donation
It takes many donors to help save a hospital patient. For example, it takes up to:
- 5 donors to save someone who needs heart surgery
- 50 donors to help save just 1 person seriously hurt in a car crash
- 8 donors a week to help someone going through treatment for leukemia
Some blood types are rare and powerful ! Understanding your blood type – learn more by clicking here
What happens to your donation? See summary below or Click here
Canadian Blood Services collects blood donations to be used to treat patients. Whole blood is separated into two main components:
- Red blood cells carry oxygen to the organs and tissues, removing carbon dioxide through the lungs. It is used during emergencies, surgeries, and cancer treatments.
- Plasma is a liquid containing many of the body’s proteins that help fight infection and help clotting. Plasma may be transfused directly to patients or may be further processed to purify the antibodies and albumin it contains. The antibodies (also known as immune globulins) are used to treat patients with weak immune systems. Albumin is mostly used in emergency care to treat trauma or burn victims who have lost large amounts of blood.
Life and Random Thinking 
The link to check eligibility did not work for me? I think there is a weight requirement?
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Sorry about that, I think it’s mainly people who are vastly underweight.
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I have never been able to give blood as I never met the weight requirements, and I am not vastly underweight. I am short, petite and small boned and have weighed 100 lbs my entire life, give or take a a few either way, as I seldom weigh myself. I took the quiz just to check it out and was eliminated, in fact for my height I should weigh 124lbs. I’m Irish and come from a long line of small boned leprechauns, but what about all those slender Asian people? I once worked with a Filipino nurse who weighed 88 lbs, that was her normal weight too. As they haven’t really given any logical reason for the height and weight requirements then they are excluding a portion of the population who might be willing to give if they were allowed to. I think many people don’t understand the medication issues too.
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I wonder if the weight factor is for your safety, as a pint of blood for you may be a larger percentage.
I can’t because of transplant medications but phoned to double check. I am going to see if I can volunteer at a donation clinic instead
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That might be a valid reason, and might be why my sister fainted after she gave years ago, it might have been a volume thing.
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I think the link is fixed now. Thanks for telling me
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Gosh I can’t believe that long list of eligibility questions you have in Canada .
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Less questions where you live I guess. A lot less?
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In England the website says Most people can give blood. You can give blood if you:
are fit and healthy
weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs and 25 stone, or 50kg and 160kg
are aged between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have given blood before)
are over 70 and have given blood in the last two years
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That’s interesting. I think the same applies here but the extra questions are screening questions that in England you might be asked at clinic.
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Good reminder. My husband gave yesterday!
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He’s a keeper! Interesting coincidence. 👍
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I know!
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Thank you for sharing. Many people are reluctant to give blood because they believe it will weaken their body. I have nominated you for the mystery bloggers award. You can find the post here:https://becomingtheoilandwine.com/2019/12/16/mystery-blogger-award/comment-page-1/#comment-15611
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I am glad you liked this post about donating blood, it is worthwhile and needed for hospitals to have blood for emergencies. I am grateful for the nomination however I don’t do award posts. I appreciate your kind nomination.
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Not only is donating good for everybody but there are also some health benefits to the giver. Now we know that leeches can save your life! I donated faithfully until I left the UK. I went straight to the US local center but they wouldn’t accept my blood because I had lived in the UK during the BSE (Mad cow disease) crisis. Then they heard about parasites in Egypt…LOL! Perhaps even I wouldn’t want my blood. 😁
Merry Christmas David!
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I look forward to hearing from you Kerry. You do the most wonderful indepth posts and you have been everywhere it seems. Merry Christmas! Hugs 🙂
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Aaaw – hugs straight back. Virtual ones are better anyway given my propensity for parasites!
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LOL, such a dry humor. I love it.
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😆
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Great post! Thanks for sharing! Blood donors saves my life in 2017/2018 when I was diagnosed with Leukemia and only 24 hours left to live. I undoubtedly would have died without blood infusions. Thank you for spreading awareness of this great life saving need.
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