THINK YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO GIVE BLOOD?
READ-ON – there are about 17 common excuses for not giving blood.
"YOU WOULDN’T WANT MY BLOOD BECAUSE I’M COMMON OLD GROUP O"
Every type of blood is important. Because group O is the most common type, it is almost the most needed. Often group O is particularly valuable because in certain diseases it can be used when other groups are not available. All blood types are required – remember that the rarest type is the type that is not available when you need it.
"I’M TOO OLD"
Age requirement for donors: 16-65 years and if you’re in good health you can keep donation until you’re 65th birthday.
"OH BUT I'M ANEMIC"
People may be anemic, and it’s the Blood Bank’s job to ensure that blood is not taken from these people. So there’s a simple test performed at each donation: a small drop of blood is taken from the donor’s finger and in about 15 seconds we’ll be able to determine your hemoglobin (iron) level).
"I’M SCARED ABOUT GIVING BLOOD"
Every person feels a bit like that for the first time, but really there’s nothing to it. In fact, there are hundreds of donors who have give 40 to 70 donations. You don’t have to be a superman or superwoman to give blood: it really is a simple procedure.
"I HAVEN’T ENOUGH BLOOD TO SPARE"
The average adult has about 16-18 glasses of blood and doctors agree that healthy people can give blood quite regularly (every 3 months). A donation is just about 1-1 ½ glass and donors may give safely 4 times a year. Your body keeps on discarding and replenishing all the time whether you donate or not. This amount is quickly replaced. By the moment you stand up form the bed, your body starts to replace the donated blood. In 24 hours the donated volume is recovered.
"NO ONE HAS EVER ASKED ME TO DONATE"
Consider your self invited. Your blood is the most precious gift you can give. It can mean life itself for a sick child, an accident victim or for someone facing surgery.
"IT’S TOO INCONVENIENT"
The Blood Bank tries to make as convenient as possible to donate. The Mobile Unit visits many offices, factories and schools. Even the busiest people make time to give blood. When you stop to think all the good your blood can do, we believe you might decide you are not too busy after all to spare less than four hours each year.
"YOU WOULDN’T WANT MY BLOOD BECAUSE OF MY RECENT ILLNESS"
Certainly you should not donate while you have an acute illness or for sometime after surgery. Please let us know if you have been ill recently. We never take blood from people who may not be willing enough o donate. A medical history is taken to make sure it is safe for you to donate.
"I’M NOT HEAVY ENOUGH"
If you weigh 5o kgs or more you will have enough blood to donate.
"I’LL ONLY GIVE IN AN EMERGENCY"
Emergencies happen every minute of the day. For each patient requiring a blood transfusion it is an emergency: the patient could die if blood is not available.
"BUT IT WILL MAKE ME WEAK"
The volume of blood is replaced quite quickly, by the time you leave the Blood Bank your body has commenced replacing the blood you have given. After just a few hours the total volume will be back to normal and in the meantime you should experience no discomfort and you are able to go about your normal duties.
"I INTEND TO GO, BUT I NEVER GET AROUND IT"
Come today there’s no need far appointment. You will feel really good having made up your mind to come. Call at the Blood Bank (08822) 724562/(088)2313408 or e-mail [email protected] (open 24 hrs.)
"THERE IS TOO MUCH ALSOHOL IN MY BLOOD"
So long as there’s a drop of blood in the alcohol, the Blood Bank can use your donation…but being sober does help.
"IF YOU GIVE ONCE, YOU HAVE TO KEEP GIVING"
Giving blood will not cause you to produce blood at a greater rate. You will not be forced to give blood regularly, because blood donation is no more different form a bleeding nose, menstrual period or a cut finger in its effect on blood production,
"BUT I PLAY SPORTS"
So you’re healthy and that’s one very good reason for making a donation. Your donation of blood will not affect your sporting performance and it will certainly help someone who needs your donation to save life.
"I MIGHT CATCH AIDS BY GVING BLOOD"
Blood donors cannot catch AIDS or any other infection by giving blood. All the equipment used for collecting blood is sterile and is used only once.
" THE PATIENT MIGHT ACQUIRE MY COLOR OR BEHAVIOR"
The blood that is transfused is eventually replaced by blood of the patient’s own. The blood cells do not have genes. These genes carry the genetic property of an individual. Thus, blood from dark individuals, gays will not change the color or the behavior of the recipient.