How to give blood???```

Question

where do i go to give blood and how does the process work?? and how big is the needle??

Answer 1

Needles are a minimum of 16 gauge, this is so the red blood cells don't get squished and rupture (hemolysis). A 16 gauge needle has an internal diameter of approx. 2 millimeters, so you can see it's very small.

To donate blood you can contact the local Red Cross blood donation services number, or you can look up a local blood bank (usually affiliated with major hospitals). Check your phone directory or Google "blood donation" and your zip code to find one. I've been a regular donor for over 20 years. You can give as often as 4 times a year. The procedure is painless, except for the initial needle stick. It takes about 15 min to complete.

Answer 2

the red cross or your local hospital. the needle isnt very big. its the same size when getting blood taken. dont feel a thing. good luck.

Answer 3

Are you in the states or the UK or another country?

I work for the national blood service in the UK and can explain a bit about the process here

First of all you need to find a donor session...

You can look up local sessions by following this link:

http://www.blood.co.uk/

It will also provide any other information you may need including a virtual donor session, but ill explain a bit about the process as well, as I am also a platelet donor.

You can book an appointment, or just turn up although the waiting times may be longer if you do.

Each time you donate you will be asked to fill in a questionnaire relating to your life style (travel, sexual health, medication info etc), if you meet the criteria they will then a few more information checks and then do a small finger prick test, to get literally a drop of blood to test to see if you are anaemic.  I always think this is the worst bit and it doesnt even really hurt!

Once all this is over they will take you to a donation bed which you will be asked to lie on. They will check your blood pressure and put a torniquet around your arm to find a vein.  Once they think everything is ok the donor carer will clean your arm and insert the needle (about 1-2mm in diameter, its not very big, and they do it all day every day so they are really good at it) into the appropriate vein.  This needle is attached to a bunch of tubing (most of which are used in the processing steps so dont worry about them) which lead to a bag into which youre blood will flow to.  This takes about 10-20 mins, and you will be given a thing to squeeze to keep the blood flowing !  The donor carer will also take some extra blood samples from the bag each time you donate so that tests can be run to check for certain diseases and blood markers (thats my job :D ).  If at any time you feel unwell you can call the donor carer over and they will start helping you out e.g. if you feel faint they will at once whip a cushion under your feet. The donor carers are ace actually, every time i have donated i have felt thoroughly spoiled and i cant fault them for keeping me comfortable if i have been unwell, their job is to fuss!

When youre done they will take the needle out and place a sterile piece of gauze over your arm which they will ask you to put pressure on, they will then tape it down. You are allowed to stay on the bed until you feel ready to move  

Phew! Ready for a cup of tea and a biscuit now? Good! as you get refreshments laid on : )  Then when youre feeling positively smug at doing something wonderful you can leave.

Dont forget you can give much more than whole blood, for example you can be asked to be put on the bone marrow transplant list or if youre blood type is suitable give platelets (a slightly different process).  Also in the UK we donate our blood for free but i think they pay in the US.

Answer 4

Excellent answers here already! You generally don't get paid in the US - this is why it's called a blood "donation." You can get paid for donating sperm and eggs, but that's another conversation...

Just wanted to mention that when you give blood they test it and tell you what your type is (a good thing to know about yourself) and also if it tested positive for certain diseases (HIV, etc) and then you know if you should get further tests/treatment.

"Anemic" means that you don't have enough iron in your blood. Make sure to drink lots of water and take a vitamin pill on the day you donate. If you don't drink enough and pass out, don't worry - they will take very good care of you. I passed out once and it was actually kind of interesting :)

Also, animals can donate blood too! When your dog has an operation, he needs extra blood just like a human does. If you want your cat/dog to donate, talk to your vet.

I hope you do this - it really is important and someday you will probably need blood yourself!