GIVING BLOOD BENEFITS AND PROCESS
Would you ever give blood? It was a question that I hadn't really considered until a few weeks ago. Not at all because I was against donation, but because it was something that had never actually crossed my mind to consider doing. That was, until I stumbled across the NHS Blood donation website and read the statistics:
25% of people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives.
- and how many people donate?
4%.
I signed up online and booked into a blood donation center that was literally a ten minute walk from my doorstep.
The process was unbelievably easy and I've already made a note to go back and make my next donation in three months time.
Still struggling to get to grips with the benefits of donating, or even a little nervous about the process?
Here are a few things that I would want to know, if I was considering donating for the first time:
GIVING BLOOD BENEFITS
- There's something incredible about knowing you're doing something selfless to help a complete stranger. Whether that's a cancer patient, someone in an accident or many other people in need.
- Because of the tests on your blood and general well being interview, you end up getting a full health check up - which is always great.
- You end up having a chat with so many people in the waiting room, which always seems to put me in a good mood.
- You get free biscuits - need I say more?!
GIVING BLOOD PROCESS
- Sign yourself up online and book a donation appointment at a time convenient for you.
- Make sure you drink plenty of water, sleep well and avoid alcohol in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment.
- Turn up to the center at your selected time and take a seat.
- Read through the booklets provided and fill out a brief health questionnaire, whilst drinking 500ml of water.
- Meet with an uber friendly nurse, who will briefly interview on your health history and test your iron levels (testing iron just involves a small pin prick - it doesn't hurt at all!).
- Meet with another, different nurse and chat away whilst they sort out all of the equipment and set up the system.
- Sit for about 15 minutes whilst you give blood. It feels a little funny at first, but after a few minutes it's totally fine!
- After, wolf down a few free biscuits, crisps, tea, juice - whatever takes your fancy.
- Head home!
Holly xx
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Holly xxx