Be a hero during National Blood Donor Month!

January is National Blood Donor Month! In the winter, blood donations drastically decrease so it’s important to help your community and participate in National Blood Donor Month. It’s easy and you’ll save as many as three lives with just one pint of blood! You can donate with whole blood, platelets, or plasma. Here’s what you need to know about donating blood.

Eligibility.

In order to donate blood, you have to be healthy. In order to protect your health and the health of patients receiving your donation, there’s a health screening process.

-Age. You must be at least 17 years old and have parental consent if you’re a minor.

-Weight. You must be a minimum of 110lb. Any lighter and you won’t be able to donate.

-General health. You must be in good general health to donate. If you’re feeling ill, postpone your donation.

There are other factors that may affect your eligibility to donate. For a full listing of eligibility requirements, visit the Red Cross.

Donation Frequency.

If you’ve donated blood before, there are restrictions on how frequently you’re able to donate. You can donate blood every 56 days, platelets every 7 days or up to 24 times per year, and plasma every 28 days or up to 13 times per year.

Preparation.

Prepare for your donation! The night before your donation be sure to drink plenty of water and eat iron-rich foods. On the day of your donation, don’t forget to bring your I.D. and a list of any medication you’re taking!

Donation.

When you come in to donate, you’ll be asked to fill out some paperwork and answer a few questions about your health. You’ll then be well on your way to donate. The actual process is quick and easy! It takes about 15 minutes and then you’ll get to enjoy plenty of snacks to help you refuel.

Steve Wilk Insurance Agency proudly supports the local community. Located in Lombard, Illinois, we serve all your insurance needs. Contact us for more information.