A Veteran Blood Donor’s Guide to Not Freaking Out Your First Time
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- The U.S. is currently facing a severe blood shortage, prompting urgent calls from major organizations like the American Red Cross for more donors to help replenish the national blood supply.
- Blood donation is safe, with sterile needles used for each donor, and most Americans (about two-thirds) are eligible to donate, though only around 3% do so annually.
- Donors should prepare by eating iron-rich foods, staying well-hydrated, avoiding high-fat foods and alcohol on donation day, and using applied muscle tension techniques to prevent fainting during and after donation.
- Regular blood donation is crucial as someone in the U.S. needs blood or blood components every two seconds, benefiting patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, and
