HOSA kicked off its first blood drive of the year with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Many students participated to “Commit for Life” and to make a difference in saving lives by volunteering to donate blood.
A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn that can be used for transfusions for patients and/or made into biopharmaceutical medications by a process called fractionation (separation of whole-blood components). Donations may be of whole blood, or specific components directly. “Whole blood” is simply the blood that flows through your veins. It contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, suspended in plasma.
Whole blood is the most common type of donation. It can be transfused in its original form or used to help multiple people when separated into its specific components of red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Every day, whole blood donations help save the lives of children and adults fighting to survive cancer, blood disorders, traumatic injuries, and more.
The actual donation can take up to an hour. You can donate whole blood as often as every 56 days, and all blood types are encouraged. Other requirements and screening procedures for students are:
- must be 17 years are older (16 years with parental consent)
- must weigh at least 110 lbs
- be in overall good general health
If you do have general health problems or a chronic condition like diabetes and you want to donate blood, it is essential that you are being treated before donating. If you are not feeling well on the day of a donation then please do not give. There will be another blood drive scheduled for this school year if you did not get to donate.
