Donating blood is not in vein!

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

In the year 1628, an English physician named William Harvey discovered the circulation of blood. Shortly afterward, the earliest known blood transfusion was attempted. This proved to be a tricky process, as it wasn't until 1665 that the first record of a successful transfusion occurred in England, using dogs as experimental subjects. In 1795, American physician Philip Syng Physick performed the first successful human blood transfusion, but did not publish his success. In 1932, the first blood bank was established in a Leningrad hospital, and in light of the countless developments and new improvements to the world of medicine, as they say, the rest is history.
While the methods and techniques of blood transfusion have certainly undergone extensive development, they required a significant amount of trial and error. Physicians over the ages slowly became aware of blood-borne illnesses like HIV, AIDS, hepatitis and other infections, not to mention the presence of different blood types. Modern medicine has come a long way, and in today's world of medicine, blood transfusions require a great deal less guesswork.
The entirety of blood that is used for transfusions comes from volunteer donors. These are people who willingly allow medical professionals to take a sample of their blood that can then be used to save the life of someone who needs it. Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. It is estimated that every two seconds, someone in the United States alone needs blood.
Just a single blood donation can save up to four lives. Blood donors are permitted to donate a pint of blood every 56 days. 56 days is the amount of time that it takes for the average adult body to replenish a normal blood supply level. Once collected, blood is sent to be processed, where it is split into multiple components, like red blood cells, plasma, cryo and platelets.
Plasma is used to treat burn victims and patients who have already lost a significant portion of their own blood. Red blood cells are typically used during surgeries. Platelets and cryo are used to help patients who are experiencing severe bleeding.
While donating blood may bring to mind brutal accident patients or gruesome crime victims, the truth is far less violent, although it is no less crucial. The majority of blood donations go to cancer patients. During chemotherapy, it is very common for patients to become anemic or have low platelet counts. Another important use of donated blood is the treatment of children with sickle-sell anemia, who desperately need healthy red blood cells.
Donated blood only takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and comes with surprising health benefits! When you donate blood, your donation is tested to make sure it is safe to be given to another person. Issues like viral infections, low iron count and anything unusual with your blood can serve as a red flag indicator of potential health problems. While undergoing the process of donating, you will receive a mini-check up. Blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, hemoglobin count and more are tested before your sample is drawn.
If you have a problem with harmful iron stores in your blood, called hemochromatosis, which affects one in every 100 Americans, giving blood can help reduce the amount of iron, preventing complications. High levels of iron constrict your blood vessels, creating a risk of heart attacks. High levels of iron also negatively impact your liver, leaving it susceptible to disease and infection.
Not only is it good for the transfusion recipients, but donating blood is good for your mental health as well. Studies show that donating blood regularly has the same psychological effect as volunteer work.
Blood donations are essential to helping to save lives, and while they may have had their scientifically-rocky beginnings, blood transfusions are very safe in today's modern medical world. Donations are only accepted from donors who are healthy and fit to donate. An estimated 43,000 pints of donated blood are used each day in the United States and Canada alone. So remember; people live when donors give.