In the Netherlands, about two in a hundred people donate blood or plasma to the Sanquin blood bank. Although it is good that people donate blood and plasma, Sanquin is trying to get more attention for this. World Blood Donor Day is the perfect time to learn about donating blood. These are six reasons to donate blood.
Also read: Why you sometimes have your period twice in a month
Save a life as a donor
The biggest reason to donate blood is to help people. The fact is that one in four people will need blood at some point to survive, recover or prevent disease. As a blood donor you save lives. You have a major impact on the lives of people with cancer, traffic accident victims and babies and women after childbirth.
A satisfied feeling
When you know that what you are doing is good, you feel satisfied. You know that what you are doing is right and this makes you feel better about yourself. So even if you don’t want to do it for others, donating blood also has a benefit from a selfish standpoint.
Donate as a health check
Donating blood is a free health check. As a donor, you receive a medical examination with every donation. This means you are aware of your blood values. So that’s a bonus.
Blood supply
By becoming a donor you contribute to the blood supply. This is for when there is an emergency. When a quick response is required, they provide blood from this stock.
Extra advantage
Cardiovascular disease
If you have lower iron levels, this may have a beneficial effect when it comes to cardiovascular disease. People who donate twice a year or donate more than 49 times in their lifetime seemed less susceptible to arteriosclerosis. This emerged from a study by Scientist Marianne Geleijnse. It is not yet a proven fact, but there may be a connection.
Burning calories
An added bonus to donating blood is that you also burn a number of calories. You burn about 650 calories when you donate blood.
How often can you donate blood?
Want to become a donor? Women may do this a maximum of three times a year. Men are allowed to donate blood five times a year. If you think donating blood is too much hassle, we can reassure you. Donating blood only takes an hour. Donating plasma is allowed more often. This can be done again every two weeks. You don’t necessarily have to do this that often, the blood bank is also happy if you donate plasma six times a year.
