Giving blood saves lives! We physicians struggle daily to save and improve lives, but honestly we often can’t make as much difference as a simple unit (about a pint) of blood. Donating blood is easy, without any risk of infection to the donor, costs nothing, and can make the real difference between life and death. We have no effective blood substitute and every pint is vital.
There are many blood types most commonly referred to by the A, B or O system with a second designation referring to being positive or negative. This second designation refers to “Rh†factor. Some blood types are less common than others, but that doesn’t affect the need for all types to donate. The fact that some blood types are more common only means that there are probably more people needing that type.
Blood is checked carefully for diseases before being given. In California, no payment is made for blood. This is thought to eliminate any motivation for providing blood other than “the goodness of your heartâ€. It also reduces the risk that someone would provide blood with any risk of disease.
The effects on the donor usually last only one or two days and unless the patient has high blood pressure or heart disease, these effects are minor. The time of donation is less than one hour and blood can be given about once per month. The long-term effects on donors have not been shown to be harmful. In fact, some reports have shown that donors live longer than those who do not give blood.
Please let us help you experience the sense of helping and making a difference by giving blood. The life you save could be your own or that of someone you love. Contact The Red Cross or your local hospital blood bank (Torrance Memorial Hospital Blood Bank 310-325-9110)