Everybody seeks meaning and purpose in life, and one of the greatest purposes that anybody can embrace is helping others. There are so many ways that an individual can be of service to their community, including volunteering and donating money to worthy causes. One of the most powerful things that many can do is give blood or platelets through the Red Cross. These are actions that directly help save lives and alleviate suffering in a very potent way. Surprisingly, donors can experience many benefits as well, not just the people they help!
I personally have benefitted tremendously since I started giving platelets in early 2021 (I’ll describe that process more in the next section). I feel like I’m earning the right to live on this planet among so many incredible humans and give back at least a little of what they have given me. There is a fantastic quote from Albert Einstein that goes, “A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labours of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.” The food and water we eat and drink, the homes we enjoy and garner safety from, and even the words we think, are due to the hard work of other people. Everybody should strive to give back regularly in exchange for that work. While I don’t believe giving blood and platelets alone satisfies this goal, it has become a significant part of my identity and I know I’ve done a lot of good. I want to encourage others to join in, so that’s why I’ve written this post.
The Process of Giving Blood or Platelets
Giving blood is a relatively simple process. You can make an appointment at a Red Cross location using this online tool. You can also download the Red Cross Blood Donor App and set up appointments through your phone. The app is great because you can complete the “RapidPass” questions before coming in. These questions ensure you are eligible to donate. It only takes a few minutes, but I like doing that prior to coming into the center. Furthermore, the app allows you to track your donations, so you know how much you have donated. Once you come in, you are seated in a private room where they scan your RapidPass, as well as check your blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin levels. If everything is okay, then you are taken to a chair where the procedure is carried out. For regular blood donations, this only takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
While most people can donate blood, there are eligibility requirements which disqualify, often just temporarily, some people. You can see those here.
For many, the most fearful aspect of donating blood is the needle. Yes, there is a small amount of pain that occurs when it is inserted, but it usually is not so bad and passes quickly. As with many challenges in life, the fear is often worse than the actual pain. Giving blood is a great opportunity for people to face their fears and can be considered one of the benefits. When you get over something that scares you, you feel more confident about other things in life. There are also very real rewards to beating this fear, including saving lives. The pain that people who need blood are undergoing is hundreds of times worse than the procedure, and keeping that in mind is also helpful.
Giving platelets is a more intensive endeavor, but it has an even greater impact. The procedure takes more time, up to two or two-and-a-half hours, because you get hooked up to something called an apheresis machine, which filters your blood for platelets and then gives back your red blood cells and often most of your plasma. Both arms are used, one for collecting platelets and the other for receiving back the other components. Since you keep your red blood cells, you can give platelets as much as every week and up to 24 times a year. Compared to blood, where you can only give once every 56 days, you have way more opportunities to donate. Platelets are also separated from whole blood donations, but because the platelet donation process collects a lot more, it yields the equivalent of what up to five regular donations produce. In my experience, from start to finish, it usually takes two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half hours from entering to leaving the building, although usually it tends towards the lower end which is nice.
There is no doubt that giving platelets is more challenging due to the amount of time you are in the chair and the fact you cannot use your arms during this time. This is a wonderful opportunity to test your physical and mental resolve, and every time you donate you truly feel accomplished. However, the process is really not that bad. They even set you up with a small screen and streaming services so you can watch whatever you want. If you need to change shows at any point, a nurse will gladly help you. I’ve watched a lot of Grace & Frankie and Ozark while giving, and at this time of writing am excited to begin Stranger Things Season 4.
Benefits of Giving Blood and Platelets
Of course, the primary benefits of giving involve helping patients. The short, simple process of giving blood just one time can save up to three lives. Blood is obviously needed for people who sustain injuries where they lose blood, but also for those who undergo surgery, give birth, or have anemia. Platelets are most often used for cancer patients, which help them recover from the low platelet counts induced by the cancer or treatments. If those counts get too low, serious medical complications can arise or treatments need to be put on hold. Platelets are also used for people after receiving major surgery or experiencing serious injury, as well as for patients with blood disorders. Unlike blood donations, which can be stored for up to 42 days, platelets can only be stored for five days, so regular donations are especially critical.
There appear to be direct health benefits associated with the act of giving blood. A 2016 study with 96 healthy volunteers analyzed the levels of inflammatory and oxidative markers before and 24 hours after blood donation. The inflammatory compounds pentraxin-3 and C-reactive protein significantly decreased after blood donation, while the endogenous antioxidant superoxide dismutase increased. The authors concluded, “Blood donation removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress by elevating antioxidant enzyme such as superoxide dismutase. This is one more health benefit or reason why we should donate blood.” An earlier trial in 2008 also suggested that blood donors had higher levels of well-being than non-donor controls as indicated by a survey. Furthermore, regular blood donation is connected to lower blood pressure and reduced risk for heart attacks. And while a relatively small and transient benefit, giving blood requires your body to expend 500 calories to replace it, so as part of a weight-loss program it might help at least a little.
Every time you give blood, you are essentially getting a free health screening. Numerous vital signs are checked and blood is analyzed for infectious diseases. It is quite possible that a serious medical problem could be discovered, so giving blood might help save your own life in an unexpected way!
Overall, performing any acts of volunteering are linked to health benefits like lower depression and longer life. Quite interestingly, the benefits of longevity may only appear when people volunteer specifically for the reason to help others, rather than themselves, according to research published in 2011. Another review of 40 studies published in 2013 showed that volunteering reduced early mortality rates by 22% and led to less depression and better life satisfaction. I posit that on an evolutionary level, if an individual’s body senses that others are reliant upon them for health or survival, longevity factors are activated that help the individual live longer to continue helping the species. I’ll admit that’s a stretch of a hypothesis, but it’s inarguably at least a possibility. If it is true, though, actions that are linked more strongly to saving lives may garner greater life extension benefits. And if not, it’s still a great thing to save lives, no matter what!
With platelets specifically, it can actually be a relaxing and restorative experience to sit down for a couple hours and watch something while knowing you’re helping people in the process. I now look forward to my platelet days in part because I know I get to watch something funny or exciting during the process. In addition, I have developed relationships with the nurses and a security guard who work at my local Red Cross, so the social aspect is also great.
There is one final, yet not to be overlooked, benefit to donating blood or platelets. Free food and drinks! Most Red Cross centers are stocked with a wide variety of delicious snacks and juices. I really like having raisins and a mixed-berry juice after donating. The taste of that juice is unlike anything else after sitting in that chair for over two hours! There are also usually several different types of cookies if you prefer a sweeter route. I’m not exaggerating, this stuff really does taste better after you’ve donated.
Conclusion
As far as volunteering opportunities go, there are few that can be as rewarding and impactful as giving blood or platelets. So give it a shot and set an appointment today!