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Donating Blood is the Best Holiday Gift

The holiday season is in full swing. Gifts of all shapes and sizes are being swapped between friends and loved ones from Van Nuys, Calif. to all over the world. However, one of the most important gifts one can give is the gift of blood donation. Schedule a time to donate blood with the help […]

The holiday season is in full swing. Gifts of all shapes and sizes are being swapped between friends and loved ones from Van Nuys, Calif. to all over the world. However, one of the most important gifts one can give is the gift of blood donation. Schedule a time to donate blood with the help offered by a graduate of phlebotomy classes to potentially save lives around the country and the world. 62 countries around the world get 100 percent of their blood supply from voluntary, unpaid donors.

As the holiday season can be one of the busiest times of the year, people often forget to give back to those in need. A decline in donations occurs between Thanksgiving and New Year?s Day when many donors are busy with holiday errands and other activities, not to mention travel. Between travelling to and from Van Nuys, attending parties and making dinners, it may seem there?s no time to donate blood. However, as The American Red Cross reports, ?Someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds.? Remember that medical treatments and emergencies requiring blood don?t hold off during the holidays.

holiday blood donation
Image courtesy of U.S. Air Force

If you take the time to think about how many seconds your average holiday get-together adds up to be, it?s clear there are many who will need blood over the course of any party. By donating blood, those individuals will receive the gift of life during the holiday season, with their loved ones close by. With the assistance of those who are trained in venipuncture through phlebotomy classes, anyone can give blood and help others enjoy their holiday season.

WebMD reports, ?Donating blood even once can help save the lives of three people?? whether they be newborns needing surgery, adults who are severely injured or those with a life-threatening disease. People in every nation are seeking the help that only you can provide through donating blood. If you are already a donor, you probably know how important donating blood is. If you don?t donate, you?re not alone ? 60 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood but only 5 percent of them do.

An important concept taught in phlebotomy classes is the variety of different blood types. The Red Cross calls for people of all blood types to donate. Those who have type O negative and A negative are especially encouraged to donate because of the rarity of their blood types. Several donation centers are located in areas from Van Nuys to the eastern coasts of the Empire State for donors? convenience.

To further thank those for giving blood during an important time of the year, the Red Cross sometimes presents blood donors with special gifts, such as one year when donors were presented with a special potholder filled with unique celebrity chef recipes. The Red Cross gave these potholders to those who donated around Thanksgiving, which the organization claims to be the busiest time of November.

Give the most personal and rewarding gift to those who need it. Seek help from those who have graduated from phlebotomy classes and help save the lives of people from Van Nuys and around the country. There is no better way to spend the holidays than saving lives.

Not sure if you?re eligible? Eligibility requirements are different in each state, but generally speaking, if you are at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and don?t have AIDS or any other transmissible disease, you are eligible. Note that there are temporary conditions that might also disqualify you from donating temporarily, including low blood iron, problems due to high or low blood pressure, and pregnancy. Returning from recent travel abroad may also disqualify you from being able to donate.

Blood donations are needed all year round, but remember that they?re most critical during the holiday season, as that?s when hospitals and ERs typically see the most trauma.

Make Your Phlebotomist (and Yourself) Happy by Drinking Plenty of Water

Getting blood drawn is in important procedure, whether it is for blood work or a blood donation. Phlebotomy classes teach students the techniques behind drawing blood so that each blood draw is successful. While classes in focus on what they can do to make your blood draw more comfortable, there are a few things you […]

Getting blood drawn is in important procedure, whether it is for blood work or a blood donation. Phlebotomy classes teach students the techniques behind drawing blood so that each blood draw is successful. While classes in focus on what they can do to make your blood draw more comfortable, there are a few things you should do to make your life, as well as the phlebotomist?s, easier.

drink-plenty-of-water-before-you-donate-blood
Image courtesy of Flicker.com

First, most blood work procedures will require that you abstain from eating for about twelve hours before you get your blood drawn. It is important that you do this. Classes can teach how to draw blood, but they can?t change the fact that food can alter a blood test?s results. Drinking water before you get your blood drawn is equally important, too.

If you walk into a blood bank without drinking lots of water before, everyone involved will have a harder time. The more water you drink, the plumper your veins are. This makes it easier for the phlebotomist to find your vein. Phlebotomy classes teach students how to draw blood from veins that aren?t as plump, but more water means less time donating.

Why is hydration so important when donating blood? Maintaining hydration is critical not only for your physical well-being day to day, but also for your mental wellness too. And as long as you?re staying hydrated, why not ditch the soda and other caffeinated beverages? They contain no nutritional value, and can dehydrate you.

According to an article from U.S. News? Health and Wellness section, a good rule of thumb if you aren?t sure how much water you should drink each day, is as follows:

The basic equation for determining this is by dividing your body weight in half. So, if you weigh 200 pounds, you would need 100 ounces of water per day, if you?re not doing anything strenuous. If you?re working out, hiking, at a high altitude, or outdoors a great deal, you?re going to need to add to those 100 ounces.

Another reason dehydration is bad for the blood donation experience, as that it will thicken your blood and lower your blood pressure. Phlebotomy classes from know that lower blood pressure is often better, but this isn?t always the case. If your blood pressure is lower, you have a higher chance of fainting during your procedure, which can make it harder for your body to recover from the procedure. When your blood thickens, it?s harder for the phlebotomy specialist to puncture the vein and draw blood.

It?s important to note, though, that some procedures require that you don?t drink water before getting blood drawn. This is generally the case for blood tests and surgeries. If your phlebotomy specialist says it is OK to drink water before getting blood drawn, try to drink the recommended daily amount of water, which is 64 ounces. Before you donate, drink a glass of water that?s about 16 ounces.

Although getting your blood drawn can be stressful, it doesn?t have to be. First, ensure you drink enough water before your procedure, if you?re allowed to do so, in order to reduce the difficulty of blood drawing. Next, try to take deep breaths during your donation and feel free to speak with the phlebotomist before, during, and after your procedure about any concerns you may have.

A couple more tips to help you have a better experience donating blood:

  • Avoid alcohol of any type for a full 24 hours before your donation
  • Get plenty of sleep the night before

Afterward:

  • If you feel dizzy at all after donating, lie down or sit down with your head between your knees at least until the dizziness passes
  • Drink plenty of fluid (more than you normally would) for the following four hours
  • Eat a light meal
  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Keep your venipuncture site clean and dry (the bandage can be removed after a few hours)
  • If there is any bleeding when you remove the bandage, raise your arm and apply some pressure to your inner bicep.
  • If you continue feeling unwell, it may be a good idea to consult with a physician