January is National Blood Donor Month, the perfect time to help save lives. Donating blood is fast and easy. By giving blood you can help premature babies, patients with traumatic injuries, patients that need surgery or patients with blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease. The average person has 8-12 pints of blood in their body and a standard blood donation provides one pint of blood. This one pint of blood can be used for four to five children.

One out of 20 people need a blood donation at some point in their lives. Blood transfusions save millions of lives each year. In 2018, 3,154 patients at Children’s National received a blood transfusion, of those, 7% were sickle cell patients. To donate blood you first need to check your blood donation center’s eligibility requirements.

Types of blood donations

There are many types of blood donations that can be made – whole blood, platelets, plasma and double red cells:

• Whole blood: this is the most flexible type of donation and includes red cells, white cells and platelets. You can donate whole blood every 56 days.
• Platelets: these are cells that we need to form clots and slow bleeding. Platelet donations are done using a machine that separates the platelets from the blood and returns the blood to your body. Platelets can be donated every 14 days.
• Plasma: this is the fluid that carries blood components through your body. During a plasma donation, an automated device is used to separate out the plasma and return the red cells to the donor. Plasma can be donated every 28 days.
• Double Red Cells: red blood cells are separated by a machine and platelets and plasma are returned to the donor. You can donate double red cells every 112 days.

The blood donation process

Before you donate, eat a light meal and drink plenty of fluids. At the blood donation center, you will be given a mini-physical and asked questions about your medical history to verify your eligibility. Donating whole blood takes about 30-35 minutes. Platelet donations take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. Plasma can take a little over an hour and double red blood cells can take about one and a half hours. Most people feel great after donating.

Is it still safe to donate blood during COVID-19?

Yes, blood donation is safe. The blood collectors check the health of all donors before they are allowed to donate. Individuals are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 through the blood donation process or via a blood transfusion, since respiratory viruses are generally not known to be transmitted by donation or transfusion.

Thousands of blood donations are needed every day. If you can’t donate blood, hosting a blood drive for your community or workplace is another great way to give back.