Get the Facts about Donating Blood - Part 1

Get the Facts about Donating Blood – Part 1

September 4, 2024 by Alyssa Oshiro

Annapolis Moms invites you to give blood at the mobile blood drive on Sunday, September 15, from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. Before you sign up, get the facts here.

“Why should I donate blood?”

There is no substitute for human blood. At Luminis Health, up to 3,000 patients receive blood in a given year for a variety of health conditions:

Babies in the NICU
Accident victims who have suffered fractures, trauma, or burns
Pregnant people
Diseases such as leukemia, blood clotting disorders, anemia, or hemophilia
Bone and joint abnormalities
Lung, liver, and kidney diseases

Luminis requires 8,500 donations a year from healthy adults to satisfy that need.

“How does my blood type impact who can use my donation?”

Most blood types fall into one of the four major groups: A, B, AB, O. However, some people have rare blood types that fall outside the major groups, and for these patients, we need a more diverse blood supply.

Patients who require frequent blood transfusions as part of their treatment, like those with sickle cell disease or thalassemia, can need close blood type matches to prevent complications from their transfusion therapy.

The best blood type match for patients with rare blood types often comes from donors of the same race or similar ethnicity. For a small percentage of the population, finding someone else with the same blood type can be as difficult as looking for a needle in a haystack.

“How do I know if I am eligible to donate?”

Most healthy adults weighing over 110 lbs, who have not donated in the last 56 days, can donate blood. The medical questionnaire taken upon arrival ensures it is safe for patients to receive your blood and to ensure that it is safe for you to donate blood that day.

As of May 2023, updated FDA guidelines now provide more inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community. The inclusive and expanded blood donor screening process eliminates questions based on sexual orientation and behavior.

Ready to sign up?

https://calendly.com/luminishealthdrives/annapolis-moms?month=2024-09