January is National Blood Donor Month

According to the Association for Blood Donor Professionals, one in seven patients entering a hospital requires the availability of blood for reasons ranging from trauma and cancer to childbirth and orthopedic and cardiac surgeries.

January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to honor the selflessness of those who donate and to encourage those who have never given to step up and do their part.

If you’re one of the many who have never given blood before, it’s possible the concerns or fears that are holding you back are unfounded. Here, we’ll break down 5 common myths that keep people from giving.

1. It will hurt: There’s no getting around the fact that there is a needle involved in drawing blood. However, the pain only lasts as long as the initial stick—maybe one or two seconds. After that, the process is pain free.

2. It takes too long: Giving blood involves three steps: registration, a health check, and recovery. In all, most donations take about an hour from start to finish. Plus, in many cases you can schedule your appointment in advance, which helps eliminate any unnecessary wait time.

3. I have a tattoo: While regulations vary from state to state, nowhere are you ineligible to donate blood simply because you have a tattoo. The only potential limitation may be how long you must wait to give blood after receiving a tattoo.

4. I’m on medication: It’s very rare that a medication will disqualify you from giving. However, if you’re on a prescribed medication, it’s possible the condition it’s intended to treat may prevent you from giving. For more information, visit the ‘Medications and Vaccinations’ section on the American Red Cross Blood Services page. 

5. I have high (or low) blood pressure: Most individuals with either high or low blood pressure are eligible to give. For individuals with high blood pressure, if the initial health check reveals your pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number), you’re good to go. For individuals with low blood pressure, if your reading is at least 90/50 you are safe to give.

Beyond the satisfaction of doing something good for others, giving blood has other benefits. In fact, regular blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk for heart attacks. Plus, according to  the National Cancer Institute, donating blood may reduce your chances of getting cancer by removing excess iron from your system. One study found that frequent blood donors with peripheral artery disease had lower risks of liver, lung, colon, stomach, and throat cancer.

To find blood donation centers and community blood drives, click here.

If you’re a first-time donor, be sure to visit the Red Cross’ “What to Expect” page which is filled with helpful tips for making sure your first (of hopefully many) donations goes smoothly.

Angela Theiss, MD, is a pathologist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. She is a regular blood donor.