January marks National Blood Donor Month and as someone who has had it on her to do list in/with regard to’concerning’regarding way longer than I can remember, I wanted to remind myself and you lovely lot just how significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative blood donation is.

I am one of merely’barely 2% of the UK population who has the blood group B Rhesus negative (I always knew I was special 😉 ), which means there is an even enormous’vast’massive’tremendous ger reason in/with regard to’concerning’regarding me to donate blood. If the shoe was on the other foot, it would be rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent to know that there was a decent supply of my blood type should I ever need it!

Here s eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfullything you need to know with regards to’concerning’with respect to blood donation:

What Are The Different Blood Groups?

There are 8 different blood groups in total: A, B, AB, and O all of which are further divided into either Rh-positive or Rh-negative, so in/with regard to’concerning’regarding example you could be A negative, AB positive or O negative etc. The most common blood group in the UK is O positive with 36% and the rarest is AB negative with just 1% of the population having this peculiar type of blood running through their veins. Scientists are continually doing research into the different blood groups and whether certain blood types are more at risk of contracting certain diseases. You may possess’own’nurse also heard of the Blood Group Diet whereby it is suggested that you eat certain foods and shun others depending on what blood group you are.

The difference between blood groups is fundamental ally to do with the number of antigens contained within it. Some of these antigens are compatible with one another, so in/with regard to’concerning’regarding example O blood can be used in blood transfusions in/with regard to’concerning’regarding individual with either A or B blood groups as it contains neither A nor B antigens. But a person who has B blood should not receive A blood, as this causes the body s immune system to start attacking what is essentially alien red blood cells and can be life threatening to the patient.

It s all incredibly confusing and unless you ve done a degree in biology I don t expect you to fully acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure the science behind it. What I can do however is point you in the right direction of a great resource from Smart Cells who possess’own’nurse put toacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure her a Guide to Blood Donations and Collections which will help you understand more with regards to’concerning’with respect to the various blood groups and the how s and why s of blood donation in the UK.

Who Can Donate Blood?

Most adults are eligible to give blood. You can donate blood in the UK if you:

are fit and healthy
weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) 25 stone (160kg)
are aged between 17 66
are over 70 and possess’own’nurse given blood in the last two years

However, there are some exceptions and if you are in any doubt it is worth speaking to your GP bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding ehand. Seek an expert opinion if you are:

currently receiving any medical treatment
pregnant or there is a possibility that you are pregnant
possess’own’nurse recently had a tattoo or piercing
possess’own’nurse received blood yourself.
Where Can I Donate Blood?

The doctor s seems the obvious answer right? But you can t just rock up to your GP surgery and demand they take a pint of your best red stuff!

There are 23 permanent blood donation venues located in various towns and cities across England, You can go online and reserve yourself an appointment in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a time that is convenient to you. Alternatively, there are temporary blood donations that pop up at various venues around the country, such as in community centres, village halls, sports centres, church halls or even as mobile units. Find out more inin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mation with regards to’concerning’with respect to where you can go to give blood.

Does It Hurt?

Come on you wusses, chances are you ve undergo d way more pain than what a little prick on the arm is going to inflict upon you! Sure you re going to feel it, but it s not childbirth in/with regard to’concerning’regarding crying out loud. The needle thing? Well yeah apparently’manifestly’noticeably’evidently that s never rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent , but if it bothers you that much don t watch it going in, take a friend in/with regard to’concerning’regarding firm’enterprise , or take a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent reserve or listen to some music to help take your mind off it. It merely’barely takes roughly 10-15 minutes, so seriously it s not that enormous’vast’massive’tremendous a deal. Wo(man) up and claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate happy despite’in spite of’albeit ts!

Is It Safe?

Health and safety is crucial when giving blood, both in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the donor and to assure’guarantee the blood taken isn t compromised. Bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e you are allowed to give blood you must first complete a health check to assure’guarantee you fit the relevant criteria (see Who Can Give Blood? above).

Sterile and disposable equipment is used in/with regard to’concerning’regarding each and e grossly donor, so there is no risk of cross contamination, and staff are fully trained to carry out the simple procedure. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e you go along to your appointment, as well as eating a decent meal. You may be offered a drink and a biscuit after you possess’own’nurse donated blood, because sometimes individual may feel lightheaded, this also means it is significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative not to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure up too quickly afterwards and to take things steady in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the rest of the day.

Some individual are concerned that by giving away some of their blood, it will deplete their own levels and thus put them at risk of becoming ill. This is not the case however, as a healthy body regenerates 1 pint of blood (plasma) within 48 hours and between 4 to 8 weeks it will also possess’own’nurse replaced the red blood cells.
What Does Donated Blood Get Used For?

Put simply blood donation saves lives. It is estimated that e grossly year 200,000 new donors are needed to assure’guarantee that there is a constant supply of all of the different blood types needed.

Blood is made up of three components:

red cells
plasma
platelets

These components are used in different situations including; surgery patients, cancer patients, trauma patients, Leukaemia, burns victims, Sickle Cell Anaemia and many more. Unin/with regard to’concerning’regarding tunately, like a pint of milk, blood does not possess’own’nurse a peculiar ly long shelf life and so top ups to supplies are always needed.

How Often Can I Donate Blood?

The average adult has between 8 and 12 pints of blood, and men are able to donate 1 pint of blood e grossly 12 weeks and woman eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully 16 weeks if they wish. Ask your doctor or nurse in/with regard to’concerning’regarding more inin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mation, or if you are concerned that a recent health problem may affect this.

I possess’own’nurse merely’barely donated blood once, and I ll be honest it s because I simply possess’own’nurse n t got my bum into gear to find out inin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mation with regards to’concerning’with respect to where and when the temporary blood donor centres possess’own’nurse been in my zone’district’region . It s a pathetic excuse and it s one I m going to address. I hope you do too.

* This post is collaborative with inin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mation provided in a press release.