Sunday, June 13, 2010

A Case For Donating Blood-Debunking The Myths

Myth: Someone else will donate all of the blood needed for the community.
Fact: Fewer than 4 percent of residents in California donate blood even though 10 times that many are eligible.

Myth: I can get a disease from donating blood.
Fact: Donations are drawn using sterile equipment and supplies; each item is used only once and then immediately discarded. At no time does one donor's blood come in contact with another's.

Myth: I won't be able to play sports or do other strenuous activities after donating.
Fact: Giving blood will not interfere with one's ability to participate in physical activities. We do ask that you avoid heavy lifting or strenuous workout for the rest of the day following donation, but these activities can be resumed the next day.

Myth: I'm too old to donate.
Fact: There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as the donor is in good general health and meets other donation criteria.

Myth: I take prescription medications.
Fact: Most medications are not a cause for deferral from donating blood.

Myth: I've had a flu shot.
Fact: The flu shot does not prevent someone from donating blood.

Myth: I an no longer donate because I've had cancer.
Fact: Cancer therapy requires only a temporary deferral; donors may return to donate one year after completed and successful treatments.

Myth: I was deferred years ago for diabetes.
Fact: It is true that, years ago, diabetes was a cause for deferral. Today, however, well-controlled diabetics are welcome to donate.

Myth: I have high blood pressure, and I take blood-pressure medications.
Fact: Well-controlled blood pressure and blood-pressure medications are acceptable for blood donation.

Myth: I've had surgery.
Fact: Donors are eligible following surgical procedures once they are completely healed and released by their physicians to normal activity.

Myth: I've had a heart attack in the past.
Fact: Donors who fully recover from a heart attack, are free of chest pain for the last six months, and require no restriction in activity may donate.

Myth: I will be anemic and weak after donating blood,.
Fact: Blood donation only removes a small portion of your body's total blood supply; and your body responds very rapidly to produce new blood cells, fully replacing those lost in the process.

Myth: Donating blood hurts.
Fact: Maybe just a little. The needle stick may be momentarily uncomfortable, but not as much as getting one's ears pierced.

If there are 100 people in
a room...

45 will have type 0
38 will be 0+
7 will be 0-
40 will have type A
34 will be A+
6 will be A-
11 will be type B
9 will be B+
2 will be B-
4 will have type AB
3 will be AB+
1 will be AB-

Dr. Diane Eklund, M.D., is LifeStream's vice president of medical affairs and on staff at Desert Regional medical Center. LifeStream provides more than 175,000 blood components to more than 60 hospitals in Southern California and is the exclusive provider of blood services for Desert Regional medical Center.

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