January--Donate Blood Month

Yep, January is National Blood Donation Month, and while you could/should be donating blood at any other time of the year, here's the perfect excuse to finally do it for those of you who hesitate or forget. I don't know about other countries, but for the US, here are the guidelines to see if you're eligible:

To give blood for transfusion to another person, you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old or 16 years old if allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks (56 days). "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.
Other aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count (hemoglobin or hematocrit) are measured.

It really doesn't take that much time, especially considering the benefits reaped from it. Don't care about saving other people's lives? That's okay....they're usually giving away free food and juice afterward to keep people's blood sugar and such at a decent level. Not hungry? Hit on the nurses and volunteer's there.....you all will get a good laugh before they take your blood. ;-)

Seriously, there's no good reason 'not' to if you're eligible.

(And as a disclaimer, this is my way of getting a hand in there. Red Cross will no longer take my blood because my tests came back inconclusive a few years ago. I was retested and everything was fine, but my name is put on a black list 'just to be safe'. So make up for my loss by donating some of yours!)