Hi Everyone. I recently accompanied my dear friend while she received two units of blood. It dawned on me that I have NEVER given blood. I’ve received transfusions, after surgery, and entertained the idea of donating blood, but have never followed up on that thought.
So, I asked the nurse if there was a shortage of blood at the blood bank. She remarked that there are peaks and valleys. She said that she’s always aware of the valleys, because her husband gets a phone call urging him to donate. His blood type is O-, the type that can be a universal donor.
How many of us even know our blood type?
I think blood type should be listed on a person’s driver’s license. I’m proud to say my children have donated
blood on numerous occasions. I need to get with it!
Here is some
information about blood types:
*There are 4 main blood types: A, B, AB, and O.
*Each of the
blood types are either Rh-positive (+) or Rh-negative (-).
*Only about 15% of the population is Rh-, which means that those people lack a certain protein on their red blood cells.
*Only about 15% of the population is Rh-, which means that those people lack a certain protein on their red blood cells.
*If you are
Rh+, you can receive blood that is either Rh+ or Rh-.
*If you are
Rh-, you can only receive blood that is Rh-.
*The majority of the population is either O+ (38%), or A+ (34%). The other types are: O- (7%), A- (6%), B+ (9%); B- (2%), AB+ (3%), and AB- (1%).
*Someone who is AB+ is a universal recipient. He/she can receive any type of blood.
There are a few circumstances where you cannot give blood:
*If you are anemic.
*If you had a tattoo or skin piercing in the last four months.
*If you aren't feeling well.
*If you've had an infection in the last few weeks.
*If you've had antibiotics in the last 7 days.
*If you have or had a heart condition.
*If you travelled outside the country within the past 6 months.
I'm sure there are other extenuating circumstances, but those were the general ones.
I hope that in next month's post I'll be reporting to you that I finally donated blood. :-) Would any of you like to share this goal with me?
Wishing you happiness and good health,
Mary
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