by Ann Marie Dwyer

Created on: November 12, 2008   Last Updated: February 12, 2009

Top Ten Reasons People Don't Give Blood ...And the Argument Against Them

When polled, most people will say more people do not donate blood for religious reasons than any other. The most often supplied excuses are listed here in order of prevalence. Each excuse has a compelling agrument against it.

1. I am afraid of needles and the sight of blood.

When surveyed, people who give blood report they feel a very slight pinch at the needle insertion. After ten minutes, they are finished and wondering why they were afraid. The technicians at the blood draw site are trained to make the process as painless as possible.

2. I don't have time.

From the beginning of the questionnaire to walking out the door takes one hour. The actual blood draw only takes ten minutes. Your donation of one hour and one pint of blood could save a premature baby, a cancer patient and a car accident victim. Would you give one hour to save three people?

3. No one ever asked. I don't think my blood is needed.

The United States needs 38,000 donations per day. Someone needs blood every two seconds-everyday.

4. I will get AIDS.

A sterile needle is used on you and then thrown away. It is impossible to get AIDS from donating blood.

5. I don't have enough blood to donate.

Adults have ten to twelve pints of blood and can replace donated blood in less than 24 hours. Humans can survive with only six pints.

6. I'm too old/sick. They don't want my blood.

Age is not a factor in determining eligibility to give blood. The only weight restriction is you be at least 110 pounds.

Infectious blood cannot be used. The diseases include: HIV, AIDS, hepatitis, bleeding disorders (hemophilia), blood and lymph cancer, Hodgkin's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (Mad Cow Disease) or diabetics who used bovine (beef) insulin from Great Britain after 1980, hemochromatosis, tuberculosis, intravenous (IV) drug users (risk of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS). All of these people need blood.

7. My blood type is rare. I'll wait until there is a need.

There is always a need and most especially for rare blood types. You should give so a crisis situation does not occur.

8. My blood is not the right type.

If it is a common type, the demand is high. Most people who need blood will have your type. If your type is rare, there are very few donors, which makes the supply very small. All blood types are needed everyday.

9. I already gave blood this year.

You can donate blood every fifty-six (56) days. Some donors give blood five times per year.

10. I don't want to feel weak when I donate.

Healthy adults have no after effects from donating blood. You have more than enough blood in your body to donate without weakening your system. Most donors go about their day without interruption.

Very few people are prohibited from giving blood. Even fewer choose not to donate blood for religious reasons. The top ten reasons more people don't give blood can easily be argued against!

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