The World Health Organization is celebrating World Blood Donor Day in a few weeks on June 14th. Let’s talk about blood donation and stay tuned for another post on World Blood Donor Day!
Where Can You Donate?
Of course there is the Red Cross, but there also is One Blood and the Kentucky Blood Center. In terms of where to donate, it should come down to factors like which drives are closest to you and where you feel most comfortable donating. Many LGBTQ+ people who were previously ineligible to donate are now able to do so because of an update of very outdated regulations.
What Should I Know Before I Go?
If you’re donating, especially for the first time, please make sure you have a light schedule afterwards. Eat big meals the day of and make sure to drink lots of water. Again, this is not medical advice but it is advice I have gotten in my dozens of blood donations. I have been donating since I was a teenager.
Can Anyone Donate?
I highly recommend that anyone with medical issues that would lead you to think you can’t donate should talk to their doctor beforehand. You should also look into eligibility requirements before you book your appointment. Blood donation can save lives, but there are other ways you can make a difference if you can’t donate.
Thank you all for reading this, and I will see you all tomorrow. Have you ever donated blood before? Let us know about your experience down below.
Written by Brigid Stakelum
