Jena Buffkin

Mrs. Wilson

English IV Honors

April 27, 2018

Why People Should Donate Blood

Thesis: Understanding the process of blood donation can effectively dispel those reasons and

help more people to choose to give blood.

I. Process of Donation

A. Requirements

B. Fears of Donors

II. Options

III. Where to Donate

A. Places in NC

B. Where to Donate in the U.S.

IV. Beneficients

A. Car Accident Victims

B. Cancer Patients

C. Anemia

D. Surgery

E. Burn Victims

V. Blood Components

A. Plasma

B. Platelets
 Buffkin 1

C. Whole Blood

D. Red Blood Cells

VI. Types of Blood

VII. Overcoming the Fear of Donating

VIII. Statistics

IX. Personal Testimonies

X. Conclusion

Jena Buffkin

Mrs. Wilson
 Buffkin 2

English IV Honors

April 27, 2018

Each day thousands of patients enter into hospitals and other medical treatment facilities

in need of blood. The need for this blood could be due to an accident or a life threatening

condition. There are many other reasons why a patient would be in need of blood; however, the

thought of where the blood is going to be supplied from often comes into question. By donating

blood, the lives of people with terminal illnesses or victims of tragedies have a second chance at

living. However, many people still choose not to donate. Common reasons are fear of needles,

too time consuming, or health concerns. Understanding the process of blood donation can

effectively dispel those reasons and help more people to choose to give blood.

To donate blood it is recommended that the donor knows the donation process and

requirements for eligibility. Donors are allowed to begin donating at the age of sixteen with

parental consent and there is no age limit to when one has to stop donating. A few things are

required for the donor to be eligible to donate such as a weight of one hundred and ten pounds

along with height requirements as well (“Eligibility Requirements”). If a donor ends up not

meeting the requirements to donate the blood will be denied and the donor will be given an

explanation as to why. Some reasons you may be denied to give blood is a recent accidental

needle stick, your hemoglobin does not reach 12.5, or you do not weigh enough for your height.

The process to donate is only four small steps. The process includes registration, medical history

with a small health exam, donation, and refreshments (“Blood Facts and Statistics”). Registration

includes showing your identification card, giving your address and phone number, and seeing if

you have ever donated with the organization previously. The health exam includes a worker

taking your blood pressure, checking your fever, checking your heart rate, checking your
 Buffkin 3

hemoglobin, and asking you some medical history and personal questions. The donation process

begins with the donor being stuck with a needle that has a cord that leads to the bag and ends

with a bandage to put over the small hole from the needle. To conclude the process, the donor is

guided to refreshments to put food and water into their system to prevent any medical issues

(Brant). However, after hearing the process and viewing how the blood is being drawn many

donors become fearful and choose not to donate. Many fears include the fear of needles and

health concerns. Although, after explaining further options many decide to overcome their fears

and donate.

A donor has several options of what can be given when they decide to donate. These

options include donating plasma, whole blood, red cells, and platelets. Each of these options are

used for different scenarios in the medical field. Donors are eligible to donate whole blood every

fifty six weeks. The whole blood donation takes a pint of the donors red blood cells, white blood

cells, and platelets. In order to be able to donate plasma, a donor must have not donated in the Commented [1]: I would be interested in knowing what
the different donations do. For example, what is the
benefit of donating whole blood as opposed to plasma
past twenty eight days (“Blood Components”). To be able to donate red cells, also known as only or power red?

power red, a donor should not have donated in the past one hundred and twelve days. Power red

is when a donor gives two units of red blood cells through a machine and the machine then

returns platelets and plasma to the body. Donors are also eligible to donate platelets every seven

days (“Eligibility Requirements”). With all the donation options, there are also many options as

to where a donor can donate as well.

There are several locations where a donor can choose to donate in North Carolina and

nationally. A local blood drive is a great place to start donating. Not only are local drives

convenient for the donor, the blood given at local drives usually stays local so the donor is saving

local lives. It is recommended for a donor to schedule an appointment for faster services at local
 Buffkin 4

drives. Local blood drives can be hosted by anyone about anywhere they choose. Many

hospitals, churches, and clubs organize and host blood drives annually. In the state of North

Carolina the American Red Cross has donation centers in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham,

Charlotte, Asheville, Wilmington, Cary, Raleigh, Greenville, and Huntersville. Other places to

donate in North Carolina include Community Blood Center of the Carolinas and Cape Fear

Valley Health System (“ Where to Donate Blood”). If a donor does not live in the state of North

Carolina, the American Red Cross has many donation centers all around the United States. In

most cases a person does not have to go far in their community to donate blood so there's hardly

ever any location excuse as to why one can not make it to a donation site because of the lengths

of travel. By dispelling the obstacles of locations and fears it leads into the appreciation and

benefits of giving blood.

Donors may wonder who and what health issues their blood donation benefits. There are

many health issues that just one donation can help with. These health issues include open heart

surgery, burn victims, anemia, leukemia, cancer treatments, sickle cell anemia, haemophilia, and

trauma victims. Open heart surgery patients benefit from the blood donations of platelets. These

patients get the donated platelets transfused into their body. One burn victim needs about twenty

units of platelets to help with their healing process. Anemic patients use donated blood for the

iron it contains. Leukemia and other cancer patients need platelets during their treatments to help

maintain body strength (“56 Facts about Blood and Blood Donation”). One patient from a

traumatic car accident could need as many as 100 pints of blood to survive. Sickle Cell Anemia

affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United States alone. This disease requires many blood

transfusions throughout the patients life. Also, donated blood can be used to make products for

haemophilia patients (“Blood Facts and Statistics”). Overall, there is constant need for blood
 Buffkin 5

because it is being used daily by the people who benefit from the blood. There is absolutely no

substitute for human blood. Therefore, there needs to be as many blood donations made as Commented [2]: I feel like this paragraph could be
combined with what you can donate. I feel like you
gave great examples of platelets but what about whole
possible as frequent as possible. Each component of blood helps a different type of disease. blood and power red?

Viewing these beneficients it often helps people who have a fear of donating overcome that fear

knowing that they are helping someone who needs the blood more than them.

A humans blood is made up of many different components that help different traumas

and illnesses. For instance, plasma donations are made up of about ninety-seven percent water

and the rest is made up of proteins. Plasma is yellow in color and has shelf life for about a year if

it is frozen. Burn victims and patients with bleeding disorders benefit from plasma. Platelets,

however, are colorless and interact with clotting proteins that help prevent excess bleeding. As

stated previously, platelets benefit chemotherapy patients and patients that are undergoing

surgery. The shelf life of platelets is about five days at room temperature. Almost 7,000 units of

plasma and platelets are needed in the United States to keep recipients alive. Whole blood is red

in color and has a shelf life of about thirty-five days when refrigerated. After whole blood is

donated it is received by trauma and surgery patients. Red cells are in high demand and the most

important part of human blood; according to research, “Approximately 36,000 units of red blood

cells are needed everyday in the United States” (“Blood Facts and Statistics”). Red blood cells

help carry oxygen throughout the human body. These cells are red in color and can help a patient

in about any medical situation. Red blood cells shelf life is about forty-two days when stored in

refrigeration. The different components of blood gives a donor more education when they are

making their decision of what they would like to donate. Commented [3]: Again, I think this could be part of the
previous two paragraphs. I think maybe reworking
each paragraph. What if one paragraph was used to
With the overwhelming thought that there are so many components of blood there is talk about everything POWER RED, one was used to
talk about Plasma, Platelets, Red Blood Cells, etc. I
actually more to it. Not only does blood have components, blood comes in four different types as think there's so much cross information happening it's
hard to keep these paragraphs straight.
 Buffkin 6

well. These types include “A”, “B”, “AB”, and “O” with each one having either an RH positive

or negative factor. Generally recipients of blood take their own blood type but, in some cases a

recipient can take blood that is not their type. For instance, someone who is type “AB positive”

could receive blood from any other type. This blood type is known as the “universal recipient”.

The“O negative” blood type is special to the donation world. “O negative” is so special because

any blood recipient can receive this blood no matter their blood type. This blood type is often

known as the “universal donor”(“Blood Types”). If one has the type “O negative” blood it is

recommended that their blood is donated as often as possible (“Blood Facts and Statistics”).

Research indicates that type “O negative” is the most valued type of blood. The four different

types are important to know during blood donation because not all types are compatible.

Some still may be on the edge of donating even after being educated about who their

blood benefits and how it is used. This could be because of the fear of needles, health issues, the

donation process is too long, one doesn’t like blood and other reasonings. There are many ways

to help overcome these fears and obstacles. For instance, if one has a fear of needles or they do

not like blood they can overcome the fear by knowing what to expect, having distractions, and

keeping their eyes on saving lives. One can know what to expect by educating themselves on the

donation process. Also, a donor can have a distraction by not looking at the process, keeping

some sort of entertainment with them while the blood is being drawn, or keeping their mind on

what they are accomplishing by donating (“Getting Over Your Fear of Needles”). If the donor is

hesitant due to their own health issues it is recommended that the donor asks a medical

professional before donating. Also, if the length of donation is a problem for the donor it is

recommended that they also keep their eyes on saving lives and schedule an appointment that

would be helpful for their schedule. If one can not donate at a local drive on the day and time it is
 Buffkin 7

hosted, it is recommended they go to a donation center when convenient for their schedule.

Many donors come in with a fear or an obstacle but majority of the problems can be solved as

long as the donor is willing to overcome their fears, make time to donate, educate themselves on

the process, and remembering that their blood could save one’s life.

Facts and statistics help show how much blood is being used and how important it is for

donors to donate. In the United States alone we use so much blood that it is needed every two

seconds (“Why Give Blood”). Medical facilities are constantly using the blood that has

previously been given. Therefore, soon enough the blood that a donor has donated has went off

for a medical facility to put to use. Not many people in our country can donate. Matter of fact,

“Only thirty-seven percent of our country's population is eligible to give blood, and less than ten

percent of those who can donate actually do donate annually” (“Why Give Blood”). Not only is

the United States medical facilities short on blood, they are short on the amount of people who

can actually donate it. If medical facilities do not have donors taking time to give blood there

will be none available to those in need. About three gallons of blood are being used in the United

States each minute (“56 Facts About Blood Donation”). Now imagine what the United States

needs for an hour, a week, a month, and even a year. Blood is constantly needed in medical

facilities and they use a lot of it daily. Facilities can not get that blood back once it is used so

they have to be supplied with more. If people who are eligible to donate do not donate these

facilities are not going to have blood which will lead to patients not being eligible to have the

proper treatment at which could cost them their life. A few minutes of a donor's time and a pint

of their blood saves lives. Not a drop of a donor’s blood will go to waste. One pint of blood can

help out about three recipients. At any moment anyone could find themselves or a loved one in
 Buffkin 8

need of blood or a blood component. It is imperative that all that are eligible do their part to

ensure the life saving blood is there when it is needed.

Those people who do make sure to donate blood are rewarded by knowing that they are

saving lives and helping their communities. For example, high school student Hannah King has

donated multiple times at her school blood drives. Ms. King said,

Helping to save other people’s lives by giving blood is such an honor. At first, I

was really nervous about giving blood and feared that I would pass out, but now I

have given blood three times and definitely would do it again to help save

someone's life. I also encourage others to give blood if possible because it gives

you a good feeling knowing that the one pint of blood taken from you can help up

to three people. (King)

Ms. King is just one prime example of the many donors who decided to jump over their obstacles

and chose to keep her eyes on saving lives. She understands that her nervous feeling and fear of

passing out is nothing in comparison to what the patients receiving the blood are going through.

Also, high school student Caleb Law shared a testimony on how he felt accomplished and

rewarded from donating blood. Mr. Law said,

At first I did not want to donate blood due to my fear of needles but I later

realized it wasn’t about me it was more about the person my blood can help.

Donating blood makes me feel more accomplished because it is another way I

can help people in need in my community. It also can come as far as saving the

lives of not only stranger, but even the people who are close to me. I also donate

blood so that one day if the circumstance ever arises that I am the one in need
 Buffkin 9

there will be someone who donates blood for me. All around it makes me feel as

if I can help protect those around me as well as being protected. (Law)

Mr. Law is another example of a strong supporter of blood donation. He realizes that he is

uncomfortable with the use of the needle in the donation process but realizes if he overcomes his

fear he will later feel accomplished. He understands that he is helping the people in his

community and could possibly be helping someone he knows personally. Not only are high

school students participating in blood drives so are adults. High school Nursing Fundamentals

teacher Teresa Harris participates in many local blood drives. Mrs. Harris said, “Donating blood

is literally “Giving the Gift of Life” and is one of the most unselfish acts an individual can

perform.” Mrs. Harris understands that donating blood is selfless and it is meant for the kind

action of saving lives. Each of these individuals are advocates for donating blood. It is

encouraged that everyone who is able to donate blood to overcome their obstacles and help save

lives.

If someone chooses to donate blood they are giving a patient a second chance at life.

Overcoming the obstacles that hold a person back from donating is very important. There are

plenty of circumstances that one would need to receive blood. It is significantly important for

blood that is constantly needed to be available at all times in a medical facility. Medical facilities

can not accomplish their goal of saving lives with blood if people do not chose to step up and

donate. One single donation can not only save someone’s life, it can change it for the better.
 Buffkin 10

Works Cited

“56 Facts about Blood and Blood Donation.” BNL Blood Drives: 56 Facts, 16 Jan. 2014,

www.bnl.gov/hr/blooddrive/56facts.asp.

“Blood Components.” American Red Cross, 2018, www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-

components.

“Blood Facts and Statistics.” American Red Cross, 2018, www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-

blood/blood-facts-and-statistics.

“Blood Types.” American Red Cross, 2018, www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-

types.html.

Brant, Gary. Personal Interview. 31 March 2018.

“Eligibility Requirements.” American Red Cross, 2018, www.redcrossblood.org/donating-

blood/eligibility-requirements.

“Getting Over Your Fear of Needles.” American Red Cross, 2018,

www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/first-time-donors/-fear-needles.

King, Hannah. Personal Interview. 11 April 2018.

Law, Caleb. Personal Interview. 11 April 2018.

“Where to Donate Blood.” Advancing Transfusion and Cellular Therapies Worldwide, 2018,

www.aabb.org/tm/donation/Pages/Blood-Bank-

Locator.aspx?bb_city=Eden&bb_state=North%2BCarolina&bb_zip=27288&bb_prox=10

0.

“Why Give Blood.” Community Blood Center, 2018, http://givingblood.org/donate-blood/why-

give-blood.aspx

“Why Should I Donate Blood?” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, June

2017, www.who.int/features/qa/61/en/.
Buffkin 11
Buffkin 12