Some Facts about Blood
The red blood cells in our blood are carriers of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the different organs of our body. The hemoglobin in the cell is the agent that carries Oxygen. When red blood cells in our blood decrease, our blood can’t carry enough oxygen to various parts of our body. That would make us feel weak and tired, our heart beat to quicken, and our breathing to become fast and shallow. Our blood contains anywhere between five to nine million white blood cells. Each white blood cell has a nucleus and is capable of changing its shape.

The white blood cells in our blood increase greatly in number during an infection, when cancerous cells are formed in our body, or when we’re injured or stressed. The white blood cell count could be caused by weakening of the bone marrow, serious infections, malnutrition, or some immunity–related problem. We need approximately 12 mg of hemoglobin for every 100cc of blood for a man, and about 11 mg of it for a woman. People who have less than that level are considered anemic. Abnormal bleeding, malnutrition, genetically inherited conditions, illnesses, malfunctioning of blood–forming organs or side–effects of medication are all possible causes of anemia. Iron is an important mineral, especially for women. It helps us feel energized besides giving us a “Rosy” complexion. It also affects our growth and boosts our immune system.

Our body needs iron to make hemoglobin and red blood cells. It also needs it to carry oxygen and burn up energy. Anybody could suffer from anemia when they bleed excessively, have indigestion problems, suffer from external injuries and as a result of major surgery. One of the most common causes of iron–deficiency related anemia is lack of hemoglobin. This is, in turn, caused by diet. Common symptoms include dizziness and headaches.

10 Lousy Reasons not to give Blood
“I am afraid to give Blood”.
For everybody there is a first time, but if you just take the time (and courage) to make one donation, you’ll wonder why you ever hesitated. There’s really nothing to it!

“Other people must be giving enough blood”.
You can gamble life on that assumption, but please, don’t gamble other people’s lives. What a tragic and useless waste it would be if someone died because people did not care enough to donate blood–if they left it for someone else to do.

“My blood isn’t the right type”.
Every type is the “Right” type. Both rare and common blood types are needed all the time.

“They wouldn’t want my blood because of the illness I’ve had”.
If you have doubts, the staff on duty will review your medical history with you. If you like, they will check with your doctor for a final O.K.

“I don’t have any blood to spare”.
If you are reasonably healthy, you’ve got 10 to 12 pints in your body. You should be able to give regularly every 3 months without any problems.

“My blood isn’t rich enough”.
A sample of your blood is checked before you donate. If your blood is deficient in some ways, at least you’ll know and be able to take action to correct it.

“I’m afraid of being turned down”.
If you are medically deferred, that’s OK. At least you tried. It may only be a temporary deferment, so try again later. The need for blood will never run out.

“They’ll take too much and I’ll feel weak”
The amount taken is less than one pint. Besides, your body makes new blood constantly. In fact, the volume you give will be replaced within a few hours. Most people just continue their usual activities after donating.

“My insurance covers blood I may need”.
The whole point of donating blood is to have it on hand when it’s needed, all the insurance in the world is useless if no blood is available.

“I’m too busy”.
Positively the lousiest excuse ever invented. We can make the time if we really want to.


Give the best that’s in you. Give blood