29.03.2024

Should you donate blood?

Summer is a great time for vacations. But there’s one thing that never takes a vacation – the need for blood donation.

In fact, summer sees the lowest reserves for donated blood and often the highest need.

Dr. Heather Weber at Aurora Health Center in Walworth, Wis., shares these five reasons why you should give blood this summer – and throughout the year.

  1. To help save lives.
    • Your donation can help save up to three lives. A small sacrifice of your time makes a true difference for a child needing a transfusion to help them through their cancer journey, or a young woman after a car accident, or the many others facing life-threatening situations.
  2. In honor of a loved one.
    • Perhaps a friend or family member received units of blood during an illness, providing healing or extra time to make more memories.
  3. To give back or pay it forward.
    • Perhaps you have or will need blood in the future for your own healing.
  4. To continually replenish inventory.
    • Did you know that most blood products last only 42 days, with some lasting as few as five days? That’s why blood centers aren’t able to accumulate vast reserves of donations, and there’s no “factory” where we can manufacture blood.
  5. For a fully gratifying feeling.
    • Weber says many people feel a great sense of fulfillment in helping others by giving blood, and often are repeat donors. A healthy person can give blood every eight weeks.

Who can give blood? (and why you might not be able to)

  • You must:
    • Be in good health and feeling well.
    • Be at least 16 years old in most states.
    • Weigh at least 110 pounds.
    • Have not donated blood in the last eight weeks.
  • Reasons that you might not be able to donate:
    • Cold or flu, low iron, some medications and certain travel outside the country.

Where can you give blood?

Learn more and search online to find blood drives in your area or visit your local blood center website to make an appointment.

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