October 31, 2013
Health Education Class
5th Period
Blood Drive
Donating blood is a very simple, but important and serious process. Its involves collecting blood from the donor and using it to treat those in need of it. Several blood donations are given each and everyday. Donating blood benefits how you have the ability to change a person’s life. It not only benefit’s the receiver life, but it also benefit’s the donor as well. If one were to donate blood regularly, it would lower their risks of diseases. Each time blood is given, it is examined before being put in another person’s body. Doctors check the donor’s pulse, blood pressure, and more to check and see if the donor is healthy and on the right track. Therefore, donating blood could help benefit your health levels too. The Reception Area is there to welcome the donors, make sure they are comfortable and ready to donate their blood. The process by which blood products are donated and stored is more complicated than one would think. First, the blood is drawn from the donor, it is placed in ice until it is arrived at the Center. Next, The blood is put in a scanner and spun in centrifuges to separate the different types of components inside of the blood. Then, Several tests are performed to be definite about the blood type and to be sure that the blood does not consist of any infectious diseases. If the results are positive, then the blood will be discarded and the donor will be notified immediately. Lastly, the blood is labeled and stored by blood type. There are eight different blood types, but four main groups determined by presence or absence of them. Universal Donors are people have the rare blood type O. Blood Type O is known as the universal type because it can be delivered to any person regardless of there blood type, but can only receive its own back. This has an effect on Blood Type O people because of the rareness of their blood. In order to be eligible to give blood you must be