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In less than 15 minutes three lives can be saved. That’s how long it takes to make a single blood donation. According to Red Cross data, every three seconds someone needs blood and one in two Spaniards will need it at some point in their life. Only 5% of people who can donate do so, so it is important to make the population aware of how vital it is.
In just one operation, up to 20 blood donations, especially if it is a complicated process. Transfusions are not only used in operations, they are also used to treat different types of cancer or anemia, organ transplants and treatment for accidents, hemorrhages or burns.
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In Spain, blood donation is voluntary and is not remunerated. About half a liter of whole blood is extracted and separated into its components: red blood cells, plasma and, sometimes, platelets. He process is totally safe and there is no risk of contracting any blood-borne infection, since sterile and disposable equipment is released for each donor. Within a few days of donation, the body itself replaces the lost fluids and, two weeks later, it does the same with the red blood cells.
Not everyone is eligible to donate, they must meet a series of requirements. You must be in good health, be of legal age, weigh more than 50 kilos and have the approval of doctors based on your medical history. Before donating blood, experts recommend get enough sleep the night before to be rested, eating healthy food avoiding fatty foods (hamburgers, fries…), drink a lot of water and check with a doctor that any medication you may be taking or have taken does not prevent you from donating blood.
After donating blood, the healthcare team asks rest in an observation area while consuming a snack, such as juice or sweets. We are likely to feel tired, weak or dizzy or nausea after donation, but they are not serious health effects. In any case, it is possible to avoid them by following a series of tips recommended by health professionals:
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- Drink more fluids than usual.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity or lifting heavy loads for at least five hours after donating.
- If you feel lightheaded, lie down with your feet elevated until the feeling passes.
- Keep the bandage in place and dry for the next five hours
- If you bleed after removing the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm until the bleeding stops.
- Incorporate foods rich in iron into the diet to replace what is lost through blood donation.
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