Blood is needed in the U.S every couple of seconds.
According to Red Cross, about 36,000 red blood cell units are required in the U.S. daily. This translates to a lot of blood.
A single victim of an auto accident may require about 100 blood pints. On the other hand, sickle cell patients or those diagnosed with cancer need blood transfusion throughout treatment.
However, blood can neither be manufactured nor made. Therefore, patients rely on blood donors for the blood they need to save their lives.
Large mobile blood banks with accompanying posters, including community blood drives, are usually everywhere.
A single blood donation can save the lives of up to three patients, depending on their specific needs. Blood donation is beneficial for both the donor and the recipient.
It saves the lives of blood recipients.
Whether one donates blood regularly or not, they stand to benefit from the following:
The global blood bank industry is expected to hit almost $46 billion by 2022. This has been attributed to the increasing demand for immunoglobulins and plasma derivatives, rising diseases, and for-profit blood donation.
It’s expected that the number of blood banks that’ll rely on paid donations will rise.
Commercialization of the blood banking industry has also been pinpointed to people increasingly donating blood for pay instead of altruistic reasons.
In turn, the number of blood donors has increased.
The United States is a leader in the global blood banking market. This has been attributed to the following reasons:
Well-developed and coordinated healthcare infrastructure
Implementation of advanced technologies
High standards of care
Favorable reimbursements policies
Strong government support
However, Asia-Pacific has the fastest growth rate in the blood bank industry for the following reasons:
Under-served blood services, hence failure to meet the needs of patients
Growing per capita healthcare spending
Increasing demand for medical tourism
Better healthcare infrastructure development
Economic Analysis
Statistics show that a single blood pint can save up to 3 lives.
And…
Every one in seven hospital admission cases needs blood.
Despite the donation process taking less than 60 minutes, only 10% of Americans eligible for blood donation actually make a donation every year.
Valued at over $2 billion worldwide, plasma is the fastest growing blood product in the industry. What’s more, 60% of blood donated globally at 15 million liters, occurs in the U.S.
Donated blood undergoes five tests to test for hepatitis and AIDS. Computer systems also help track blood donors to find those who’ve tested positive for diseases due to lack of central blood donor data.
Blood and organ banking in the U.S., according to IBISWorld, experienced a 0.1% growth between 2012 and 2017. However, the industry generates about $11 billion in revenue every year. The country is home to 1,500 blood and organ banks that employ over 77,000 people.
Revenue is expected to increase by 2022.
Despite the high demand for blood and its products, the industry relies on blood donations. However, the shortage of supply lowers the industry’s revenue-generation potential.
Whole blood costs anything from $100 to $200.
14% of blood pints donated go into waste because platelets take only 5 days and blood cells 42 days in storage. Wastage occurs in hospitals and during shipping.
Hiring more staff, upgrading or building facilities, doing research on blood supply protection, and buying more equipment to start a blood bank center requires huge capital.
Demography, Niche, and Level of Competition
Blood banks provide for the needs of individuals irrespective of personality, race, wealth level, or status. People who need blood services include:
Accident victims
Cancer patients under treatment
Patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries
Organ and marrow transplant patients
Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgeries
Patients under treatment for inherited blood orders
Some specialty niche ideas in the industry include:
Health screening services
Blood banking and related products
Human blood services
Blood components and plasma
Red Cross and other non-profit blood blanks dominate the industry. But new entrants and existing players fight for a share of the market, heightening industry competition.
Blood and related products are handled and screened properly for storage and easy access whenever a client makes an order.
You can buy a franchise or build your blood business from nothing. However, the industry has no franchise opportunities.
It takes a huge capital, a sound business structure, and regulations compliance to begin the business.
Requirements
Legal matters such as:
Partnership
Sole proprietorship
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Corporation
A catchy and related business name
Trademark or intellectual property protection
The right location near donors and target clients – the building, should be compliant with regulations such as FDCA and CGMP.
Competent workers such as a blood bank technician
Equipment and repair tools. The equipment you need to vary based on the services you intend to offer. They include a refractometer and automated blood typing. You may also need various tools such as flux core welders with a wire feed to repair your equipment or help fix your business before it starts. Alternatively, multiprocess welders may be the all in one tool you’ll need to accomplish various welding and repair jobs.
Legal documents include:
A business plan
Employer identification number (EIN)
Certificate of incorporation
Employment agreement
The operating agreement for LLCs
Insurance policy
Federal tax identification number (TIN)
Business certification and license
Insurance policies such as
Errors and omission
Umbrella
Commercial property
Product liability
Casualty
Business auto
Contents coverage
General liability
Workers’ compensation
Business Financing
Some ways to source financing for your blood bank business include:
The simple act of voluntary blood donation saves one’s life. People with autoimmune diseases, in most cases, survive on blood transfusions before they get a permanent solution to their chronic illness.
As much as everyone wishes to donate blood, it’s needless if your blood is discarded for various reasons. Moreover, it makes no sense to donate blood and become a victim of circumstance due to side effects.
It’s for these reasons why it’s essential to have a medical examination before this great exercise.
Why should you donate blood?
Blood is a lifesaver; in rare cases, people donate blood to remove excess blood in their system. If it has to be done, its under strict medical guidelines. June 14th is the day the whole globe celebrates blood donation day.
Who receives the donated blood?
Pregnant women with low blood levels
People suffering from chronic illnesses like blood cancers
People undergoing surgeries
Children with severe anemia
Medical personnel responsible for blood donation drive need preparation to ensure the safety of both the donors and the recipients. All the blood goes through health checks to ensure clean blood reaches the recipient.
The major checks include:
Any illnesses including HIV and Hepatitis
Cross-matching to get the blood type and blood group
Any bacterial or blood-related issues
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
You may be eligible and fit for blood donation, but your blood may end up in the dustbins. These checks are not done on the spot; it’s at the transfusion center.
Away from the health checks, the level of cleanliness is considered at the point of set up. It includes the blood donation tables, medical supplies, and clean water to sanitize and sterilize some of the medical equipment.
Water is a crucial component in this environment. In case the area designated for blood donation has hard water supply, then the medical team must have water softeners. They prove to be economical than carrying water from the hospital to the donation site. What if they run short of water, yet the donors are in abundance? Do they abandon the whole exercise?
Of course, no. Once they know, they are going to the remote villages for a blood donation drive, and water softeners are among the must-have cleaning tools they must carry.
Who is eligible to donate blood?
Age: Anybody above 17 years is eligible to donate blood. Even if you have enough blood in your body and you haven’t attained the minimum age, you cannot donate. There is no upper age limit for this exercise.
However, some medical factors need to be put into consideration before giving a clean bill of health to older people to participate in the event.
Weight: Your weight and blood are directly proportional. The minimum weight for blood donation is 110 pounds. However, if there is an unexplained loss in the recent past, then it’s not advisable to lay on the blood donation table.
Blood level: You must have enough blood in your system to give out some. You must be slightly above the normal blood count since a pint of blood is about 500 ml. Some people naturally have a high blood count; removal of even two pints is not an issue to them.
The medical team also looks at other blood cells- white blood cells and platelets. They must be within, if not above the normal range.
Drug prevalence: Anyone with a history of drug prevalence, either conventional medicine or traditional medicine or hard drugs, should not donate blood. It interferes with the antibodies of the recipient leading to a severe blood reaction.
Lactation: Lactating or breastfeeding mums should not donate blood; however, healthy, they may maybe. There is a theory of loss of milk supply once you donate blood. Moreover, there is a high risk of developing anemia after the donation.
Medical history: The high-risk population, in terms of medical threats, should not donate blood at all. They include pregnant and nursing mothers, post-surgery patients, people with chronic illnesses, a history of blood pressure, among others.
Medically fit for blood donation?
Physicians and clinicians have a way in which they access a patient’s physical appearance and consider one stable or unstable. In some instances, they decline the offer to donate blood despite meeting all the other basic requirements.
Some of the physical signs to check for poor health include:
Swollen stomach
Paper-white eyes
Yellow eyes
Weak muscles and nerves
Frail skin
If you are planning to donate blood, take care of your health before the exercise. You need the energy to replace what has been lost; it explains why most people are given an energy drink after the donation process. A day before, eat healthily and enough meals to prevent cases of fatigue and fainting during the process. Moreover, ensure your foods have blood-building nutrients to give you a chance to donate more blood.
Blood donation for specific blood products like platelets needs other special conditions on top of the basic requirements for blood donation like large veins, high muscle agility, and flexibility.
Furthermore, the process is also a bit tedious and takes a longer time. A sleek preview of what happens: they draw your blood and run it in a machine that precisely remove platelets and allows the rest of the blood back to the body. Is that not a complicated process? Your veins must be healthy enough to accommodate this procedure.
“Donate blood to save a life” this is a common phrase designed by health experts to create awareness on the need to donate blood. There are many activation’s in a bid to collect more blood for the blood bank. What you need to know is that there is a special bed for the donor. It is at the right height and has specific features to enhance this sensitive function. Blood donation activation is mobile clinics designed to collect blood even yin the remote of places. You now need a bed that you can assemble and dismantle with ease.
The main steps in assembling the bed include
Put the legs on parallel sides
Fix the wheel or feet on each of the leg frames
Fix the side arms in line with the marks to make sure you have the position in the correct location
Joint the legs and the side arms tightly using the metal bolts
In case there is a center beam then it is the time to set it in the right place.
Place the protective caps
Tighten the joints to prevent a line of weakness.
Adjust the upper side of the bed and the height based on your clients
Breakages, wear, and tear is inevitable in these exercises. Although some could be avoided by following the following tips; it is upon the individual to exercise extra care when handling this welded bed.
Follow assemblage instructions
Manufacturers of the bed have the technical know how on what to expect when dismantling the bed. However, they may not be present in the activation’s. That is the purpose of a manual to accompany the equipment. You may have your own knowledge but when it comes to this bed then just do as expected. The pictorial presentations that accompany the manual comes in handy for you.
Avoid hipping stuff on the bed
Depending on the type of metal used for the bed; a welder may opt to use a lightweight metal to minimize bulkiness. Heavyweight will bend the part it is in contact with which further weakens the bed.
Tighten the joints
When you leave the room when tightening the bolts then you create a line of weakness. Have you got a bed that when you even sit of it, it makes funny noises? This is the result of poor assemblage.
Adjust it to the right height
A welded bed for a blood donor has the upper side a little raised than the lower part. You need to use the adjustments knob rather than manually adjust it to enhance its life span.
Label the jointed parts
There is a reason a specific part was welded to fit the rest. In this case, the best way to maintain the positions is also to use a marker to label the areas. This is useful even if you are not the one personally handling the bed. They will follow instructions to enhance the durability of the bed.
This is just a simple bed with no extra features but with cheater lens for welding helmets as part of the accessories then you fix them after you have completed the assemblage.
The widely used plasma cutting technique is taking huge leaps nowadays. The process involves a plasma cutter, which is, understandably dangerous to use but can easily cut 80mm of metal. A laser cutter is supposed to achieve the cutting of 25mm only. The cutter works through employing ionizing gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon etc. thus creating heat enough to cut through metal. A better view of plasma cutter can be observed if we understand how it’s used. The plasma cutter is an extremely versatile tool and can work rapidly, at a speed of 20 meters per minute. The air pressure is released through a constricted nozzle, which emits around 60 psi. The question that why a blood donation chair, should be made through a plasma cutter is very easy. The cutter can give easy curves to the chair; hence enabling the donor to comfortably set his/her body without any slips as it is quite common for them to faint during the process.
How to build a blood donation chair using plasma cutter:
You will need metal sheets for the body and chair legs (thickness not more than 80 mm), plasma cutter, and measuring tape. The sheets and clamps can be purchased online, as well from Allegro (A Polish E-bay), for safety precautions; approved safety glasses and gloves are a must.
Before you begin, you need a design to incorporate your plan. Use popular software to plan your chair design. Some famous software you can use are; CAD PRO furniture, Sketch list 3D or Sketch-up. Once you are successful in completing the layout of your plan you can proceed further. Take measurements of the chair body and legs and power your plasma cutter. The plasma cutter will allow you to strike through the metal sheets in the curves and straight lines easily. The donor chair is supposed to be made in a curve, which will allow the body to rest in an upright and relaxed position.
Therefore, the frame of this chair should be made first. Apply the plasma cutter to first strike out the frame by giving a side curve on the sheet and then opt for the legs to hold the chair.
Once done with the help of plasma cutter settle a metal sheet in the same curve form and adjust it in the frame. Attach the legs to support the chair stand on its own. For comfort, adjust cushions on the chair, which will allow the blood donor to rest his/her body. Finally, attach hooks if you need to hold bottles or accessories are needed.
Various Industries using a plasma cutter
Plasma cutters are widely used in various industries including metal arts, to form beautiful shapes. It is primarily used, in Construction and automobile industry, shipbuilding and across a broad spectrum for other specialized industries. The plasma cutter also makes its way for furniture in the medical sector and is applied for household use as well. It is a specialized piece of equipment; therefore necessary precautions should be taken before using it.
Blood donation is a very important step that nearly all people should do because it benefits both parties. Many people will always think of the negative side effects which they think are associated with blood donation. Contrary to their perspectives, donating blood is very essential for the health of the donor. However, most of those individuals who see blood donation as a disadvantageous act cannot be blamed simply because they have not been informed of its benefits. It is therefore very important for blood donation awareness including its benefits to be done properly.
Welders are some of the people who are the most likely beneficiaries of blood donation in a number of ways. This can be attributed to the fact that most of their work exposes them to radiations over long working hours. So if you are a welder who is probably asking him or herself about how does blood donation helps welders? then stay put and get informed on the benefits of blood donation.
First and foremost, long hours of exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer. Generally, cancer is a very deadly disease once it gets into the body and in many occasions, it can never be treated completely. Doctors always try to reduce the side effects and the spread of the disease but not cure it Many people. Especially the welders, have been diagnosed with cancer. Blood donation plays a very fundamental role in fighting cancer. Blood donation usually removes the excess blood from the body system. Most cancerous cells are usually stored and carried by this blood. The removed blood will thereafter be screened before others can get a chance of using them. Additionally, most welders use the miller welding helmet batteries for their safety. Such helmets also release some radiation that can cause cancer. If welders can donate their blood as long as they follow the doctor’s advice, then they will be doing a great service themselves by preventing cancer Secondly, most welders work for long hours before they can accomplish a single task. A number of statistics have shown that most welders are involved in hectic types of jobs which results in a heart attack. Blood donation reduces the risk of such individuals suffering from heart-related diseases. Blood donation reduces the viscosity of the blood and helps in reducing high iron levels in the blood which are the common causes of heart diseases.
Furthermore, welding is a job that requires absolute dedication and determination. For a welder to gain the strength of working harder, then they must be in good health. Blood donation relieves the body of contaminated blood and permits it to produce new and healthy blood. The body will always be active in the blood is free from infections.
Nevertheless, many welders are always engaged and busy during working days and therefore most of them will not get a chance of going for medical checkups. However, it is without a doubt that blood donation programmes are usually organised and made available to everyone regardless of whether they are on work or not Blood donation usually offers such individuals with free medical checkup services. Welders will be able to know if;
“Heroes come in many different ways,” says Frances Roth of Rochester. “My family’s hero is the blood donor who saved my granddaughter’s life in November 2006. That blood donor changed the course of our lives.”
On the night of November 17, 2006, Frances’ daughter-in-law, Farrah, received a call from the family pediatrician, telling her to bring Isabella, then age three, to Strong Memorial Hospital’s pediatric emergency department at once. Isabella had seen the doctor earlier that day because of Farrah’s concern for her daughter’s poor color and lethargy. Her doctor did blood tests on Isabella and saw that her blood level was extremely low. At Strong emergency that night, her parents were told that Isabella had leukemia and an immediate transfusion was required to save her life.
“We were totally blindsided; we just thought she was anemic,” said Frances. “If Isabella had not received a transfusion that night, she would not be here. Thanks to an anonymous donor (our) granddaughter survived that night. Whoever that blood donor is, we can never say thank you enough. (He or she) saved our Isabella,” she added.
Isabella’s stay in the hospital was seven weeks long, during which she received many more blood transfusions. Although she is now home, she continues to receive chemotherapy treatments. Her treatments are scheduled to last through 2009. According to Frances, Isabella is doing well and is responding to treatments but she still has a long fight ahead of her. “It’s been a long road,” said Frances. “But if it were not for a generous blood donor, we would not have Isabella in our lives. Blood donors are heroes because their donations can help save lives. To all of them, we say thank you. You can give no better gift.”
No matter what the time of year, the American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region depends on committed donors to give the “gift of life” to help ensure that quality blood products and services are always available when and where they are needed by hospital patients. Here are some facts: • One unit of blood can help save the lives of up to three people • In the United States, a blood transfusion is needed almost every two seconds • Only approximately five percent of the eligible population in the United States donates blood • Almost 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood The Red Cross needs donors to keep giving blood during all times of the year if it is to continue meeting patients’ need for blood: transfusions for trauma victims who have experienced accidents or burns; patients undergoing heart surgery or organ transplants; and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases. While it can be difficult to brave the elements during these winter months, we ask you to continue to make and keep your appointments. Your donation will help ensure that blood is available for those many patients who require this life-saving gift. It only takes about an hour of your time to help someone in need and you will leave with a great feeling in knowing that you may have helped save up to three lives. Please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit DonateBloodNow.org/DonateBlood/ now to make an appointment. Lives depend on it…. perhaps even your own. On behalf of all our patients, we thank you for your continued support of the American Red Cross.
Apheresis heroes
“It gives me great satisfaction to know that I can help others in need. Personally, I feel blessed that I can make a difference in some else’s life. I’ve been donating apheresis for approximately 28 years and plan to continue donating for the rest of my life.”
Mary Hahn, Lockport, N.Y.
“I thank God every day for my good health and so I feel that if by being an apheresis donor I can help someone in need of platelets. I must do my part. It is always a very pleasant experience when I visit the Eastern Hills site. Everyone there is cheerful and they always make me feel like I am appreciated for taking the time to give. They are a wonderful group.”
Last Updated: June 23, 2020 by Donate Blood Now
What it Takes to Start a Blood Donation Center
Blood is needed in the U.S every couple of seconds.
According to Red Cross, about 36,000 red blood cell units are required in the U.S. daily. This translates to a lot of blood.
A single victim of an auto accident may require about 100 blood pints. On the other hand, sickle cell patients or those diagnosed with cancer need blood transfusion throughout treatment.
However, blood can neither be manufactured nor made. Therefore, patients rely on blood donors for the blood they need to save their lives.
Large mobile blood banks with accompanying posters, including community blood drives, are usually everywhere.
A single blood donation can save the lives of up to three patients, depending on their specific needs. Blood donation is beneficial for both the donor and the recipient.
It saves the lives of blood recipients.
Whether one donates blood regularly or not, they stand to benefit from the following:
The Blood Bank Industry
The global blood bank industry is expected to hit almost $46 billion by 2022. This has been attributed to the increasing demand for immunoglobulins and plasma derivatives, rising diseases, and for-profit blood donation.
It’s expected that the number of blood banks that’ll rely on paid donations will rise.
Commercialization of the blood banking industry has also been pinpointed to people increasingly donating blood for pay instead of altruistic reasons.
In turn, the number of blood donors has increased.
The United States is a leader in the global blood banking market. This has been attributed to the following reasons:
However, Asia-Pacific has the fastest growth rate in the blood bank industry for the following reasons:
Economic Analysis
Statistics show that a single blood pint can save up to 3 lives.
And…
Every one in seven hospital admission cases needs blood.
In Canada and the U.S., over 40,000 blood pints transfusion occurs daily.
Despite the donation process taking less than 60 minutes, only 10% of Americans eligible for blood donation actually make a donation every year.
Valued at over $2 billion worldwide, plasma is the fastest growing blood product in the industry. What’s more, 60% of blood donated globally at 15 million liters, occurs in the U.S.
Donated blood undergoes five tests to test for hepatitis and AIDS. Computer systems also help track blood donors to find those who’ve tested positive for diseases due to lack of central blood donor data.
Blood and organ banking in the U.S., according to IBISWorld, experienced a 0.1% growth between 2012 and 2017. However, the industry generates about $11 billion in revenue every year. The country is home to 1,500 blood and organ banks that employ over 77,000 people.
Revenue is expected to increase by 2022.
Despite the high demand for blood and its products, the industry relies on blood donations. However, the shortage of supply lowers the industry’s revenue-generation potential.
Whole blood costs anything from $100 to $200.
14% of blood pints donated go into waste because platelets take only 5 days and blood cells 42 days in storage. Wastage occurs in hospitals and during shipping.
Hiring more staff, upgrading or building facilities, doing research on blood supply protection, and buying more equipment to start a blood bank center requires huge capital.
Demography, Niche, and Level of Competition
Blood banks provide for the needs of individuals irrespective of personality, race, wealth level, or status. People who need blood services include:
Some specialty niche ideas in the industry include:
Red Cross and other non-profit blood blanks dominate the industry. But new entrants and existing players fight for a share of the market, heightening industry competition.
Blood and related products are handled and screened properly for storage and easy access whenever a client makes an order.
Requirements to Start a Blood Bank Business
Some important considerations include:
Franchise or Start Your Blood Bank from scratch.
You can buy a franchise or build your blood business from nothing. However, the industry has no franchise opportunities.
It takes a huge capital, a sound business structure, and regulations compliance to begin the business.
Requirements
Business Financing
Some ways to source financing for your blood bank business include:
Posted: May 1, 2020 by Donate Blood Now
Who is Eligible and Fit to Donate Blood?
The simple act of voluntary blood donation saves one’s life. People with autoimmune diseases, in most cases, survive on blood transfusions before they get a permanent solution to their chronic illness.
As much as everyone wishes to donate blood, it’s needless if your blood is discarded for various reasons. Moreover, it makes no sense to donate blood and become a victim of circumstance due to side effects.
It’s for these reasons why it’s essential to have a medical examination before this great exercise.
Why should you donate blood?
Blood is a lifesaver; in rare cases, people donate blood to remove excess blood in their system. If it has to be done, its under strict medical guidelines. June 14th is the day the whole globe celebrates blood donation day.
Who receives the donated blood?
Medical personnel responsible for blood donation drive need preparation to ensure the safety of both the donors and the recipients. All the blood goes through health checks to ensure clean blood reaches the recipient.
The major checks include:
You may be eligible and fit for blood donation, but your blood may end up in the dustbins. These checks are not done on the spot; it’s at the transfusion center.
Away from the health checks, the level of cleanliness is considered at the point of set up. It includes the blood donation tables, medical supplies, and clean water to sanitize and sterilize some of the medical equipment.
Water is a crucial component in this environment. In case the area designated for blood donation has hard water supply, then the medical team must have water softeners. They prove to be economical than carrying water from the hospital to the donation site. What if they run short of water, yet the donors are in abundance? Do they abandon the whole exercise?
Of course, no. Once they know, they are going to the remote villages for a blood donation drive, and water softeners are among the must-have cleaning tools they must carry.
Who is eligible to donate blood?
Age: Anybody above 17 years is eligible to donate blood. Even if you have enough blood in your body and you haven’t attained the minimum age, you cannot donate. There is no upper age limit for this exercise.
However, some medical factors need to be put into consideration before giving a clean bill of health to older people to participate in the event.
Weight: Your weight and blood are directly proportional. The minimum weight for blood donation is 110 pounds. However, if there is an unexplained loss in the recent past, then it’s not advisable to lay on the blood donation table.
Blood level: You must have enough blood in your system to give out some. You must be slightly above the normal blood count since a pint of blood is about 500 ml. Some people naturally have a high blood count; removal of even two pints is not an issue to them.
The medical team also looks at other blood cells- white blood cells and platelets. They must be within, if not above the normal range.
Drug prevalence: Anyone with a history of drug prevalence, either conventional medicine or traditional medicine or hard drugs, should not donate blood. It interferes with the antibodies of the recipient leading to a severe blood reaction.
Lactation: Lactating or breastfeeding mums should not donate blood; however, healthy, they may maybe. There is a theory of loss of milk supply once you donate blood. Moreover, there is a high risk of developing anemia after the donation.
Medical history: The high-risk population, in terms of medical threats, should not donate blood at all. They include pregnant and nursing mothers, post-surgery patients, people with chronic illnesses, a history of blood pressure, among others.
Medically fit for blood donation?
Physicians and clinicians have a way in which they access a patient’s physical appearance and consider one stable or unstable. In some instances, they decline the offer to donate blood despite meeting all the other basic requirements.
Some of the physical signs to check for poor health include:
If you are planning to donate blood, take care of your health before the exercise. You need the energy to replace what has been lost; it explains why most people are given an energy drink after the donation process. A day before, eat healthily and enough meals to prevent cases of fatigue and fainting during the process. Moreover, ensure your foods have blood-building nutrients to give you a chance to donate more blood.
Blood donation for specific blood products like platelets needs other special conditions on top of the basic requirements for blood donation like large veins, high muscle agility, and flexibility.
Furthermore, the process is also a bit tedious and takes a longer time. A sleek preview of what happens: they draw your blood and run it in a machine that precisely remove platelets and allows the rest of the blood back to the body. Is that not a complicated process? Your veins must be healthy enough to accommodate this procedure.
Last Updated: August 21, 2019 by Donate Blood Now
Tips on how to assemble a Welded Bed for Blood Donation
“Donate blood to save a life” this is a common phrase designed by health experts to create awareness on the need to donate blood. There are many activation’s in a bid to collect more blood for the blood bank. What you need to know is that there is a special bed for the donor. It is at the right height and has specific features to enhance this sensitive function. Blood donation activation is mobile clinics designed to collect blood even yin the remote of places. You now need a bed that you can assemble and dismantle with ease.
The main steps in assembling the bed include
Breakages, wear, and tear is inevitable in these exercises. Although some could be avoided by following the following tips; it is upon the individual to exercise extra care when handling this welded bed.
Follow assemblage instructions
Manufacturers of the bed have the technical know how on what to expect when dismantling the bed. However, they may not be present in the activation’s. That is the purpose of a manual to accompany the equipment. You may have your own knowledge but when it comes to this bed then just do as expected. The pictorial presentations that accompany the manual comes in handy for you.
Avoid hipping stuff on the bed
Depending on the type of metal used for the bed; a welder may opt to use a lightweight metal to minimize bulkiness. Heavyweight will bend the part it is in contact with which further weakens the bed.
Tighten the joints
When you leave the room when tightening the bolts then you create a line of weakness. Have you got a bed that when you even sit of it, it makes funny noises? This is the result of poor assemblage.
Adjust it to the right height
A welded bed for a blood donor has the upper side a little raised than the lower part. You need to use the adjustments knob rather than manually adjust it to enhance its life span.
Label the jointed parts
There is a reason a specific part was welded to fit the rest. In this case, the best way to maintain the positions is also to use a marker to label the areas. This is useful even if you are not the one personally handling the bed. They will follow instructions to enhance the durability of the bed.
This is just a simple bed with no extra features but with cheater lens for welding helmets as part of the accessories then you fix them after you have completed the assemblage.
Last Updated: May 1, 2020 by Donate Blood Now
Surprising Facts About Blood Donation
Posted: February 4, 2019 by Donate Blood Now
How to build a Blood donation chair using a plasma cutter.
Better view of a plasma cutter
The widely used plasma cutting technique is taking huge leaps nowadays. The process involves a plasma cutter, which is, understandably dangerous to use but can easily cut 80mm of metal. A laser cutter is supposed to achieve the cutting of 25mm only. The cutter works through employing ionizing gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon etc. thus creating heat enough to cut through metal. A better view of plasma cutter can be observed if we understand how it’s used. The plasma cutter is an extremely versatile tool and can work rapidly, at a speed of 20 meters per minute. The air pressure is released through a constricted nozzle, which emits around 60 psi. The question that why a blood donation chair, should be made through a plasma cutter is very easy. The cutter can give easy curves to the chair; hence enabling the donor to comfortably set his/her body without any slips as it is quite common for them to faint during the process.
How to build a blood donation chair using plasma cutter:
You will need metal sheets for the body and chair legs (thickness not more than 80 mm), plasma cutter, and measuring tape. The sheets and clamps can be purchased online, as well from Allegro (A Polish E-bay), for safety precautions; approved safety glasses and gloves are a must.
Before you begin, you need a design to incorporate your plan. Use popular software to plan your chair design. Some famous software you can use are; CAD PRO furniture, Sketch list 3D or Sketch-up. Once you are successful in completing the layout of your plan you can proceed further. Take measurements of the chair body and legs and power your plasma cutter. The plasma cutter will allow you to strike through the metal sheets in the curves and straight lines easily. The donor chair is supposed to be made in a curve, which will allow the body to rest in an upright and relaxed position.
Therefore, the frame of this chair should be made first. Apply the plasma cutter to first strike out the frame by giving a side curve on the sheet and then opt for the legs to hold the chair.
Once done with the help of plasma cutter settle a metal sheet in the same curve form and adjust it in the frame. Attach the legs to support the chair stand on its own. For comfort, adjust cushions on the chair, which will allow the blood donor to rest his/her body. Finally, attach hooks if you need to hold bottles or accessories are needed.
Various Industries using a plasma cutter
Plasma cutters are widely used in various industries including metal arts, to form beautiful shapes. It is primarily used, in Construction and automobile industry, shipbuilding and across a broad spectrum for other specialized industries. The plasma cutter also makes its way for furniture in the medical sector and is applied for household use as well. It is a specialized piece of equipment; therefore necessary precautions should be taken before using it.
Last Updated: February 3, 2019 by Donate Blood Now
How does Donating Blood Help Welders?
Blood donation is a very important step that nearly all people should do because it benefits both parties. Many people will always think of the negative side effects which they think are associated with blood donation. Contrary to their perspectives, donating blood is very essential for the health of the donor. However, most of those individuals who see blood donation as a disadvantageous act cannot be blamed simply because they have not been informed of its benefits. It is therefore very important for blood donation awareness including its benefits to be done properly.
Welders are some of the people who are the most likely beneficiaries of blood donation in a number of ways. This can be attributed to the fact that most of their work exposes them to radiations over long working hours. So if you are a welder who is probably asking him or herself about how does blood donation helps welders? then stay put and get informed on the benefits of blood donation.
First and foremost, long hours of exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer. Generally, cancer is a very deadly disease once it gets into the body and in many occasions, it can never be treated completely. Doctors always try to reduce the side effects and the spread of the disease but not cure it Many people. Especially the welders, have been diagnosed with cancer. Blood donation plays a very fundamental role in fighting cancer. Blood donation usually removes the excess blood from the body system. Most cancerous cells are usually stored and carried by this blood. The removed blood will thereafter be screened before others can get a chance of using them. Additionally, most welders use the miller welding helmet batteries for their safety. Such helmets also release some radiation that can cause cancer. If welders can donate their blood as long as they follow the doctor’s advice, then they will be doing a great service themselves by preventing cancer Secondly, most welders work for long hours before they can accomplish a single task. A number of statistics have shown that most welders are involved in hectic types of jobs which results in a heart attack. Blood donation reduces the risk of such individuals suffering from heart-related diseases. Blood donation reduces the viscosity of the blood and helps in reducing high iron levels in the blood which are the common causes of heart diseases.
Furthermore, welding is a job that requires absolute dedication and determination. For a welder to gain the strength of working harder, then they must be in good health. Blood donation relieves the body of contaminated blood and permits it to produce new and healthy blood. The body will always be active in the blood is free from infections.
Nevertheless, many welders are always engaged and busy during working days and therefore most of them will not get a chance of going for medical checkups. However, it is without a doubt that blood donation programmes are usuallyorganised and made available to everyone regardless of whether they are on work or not Blood donation usually offers such individuals with free medical checkup services. Welders will be able to know if;
Knowing such information will enable welders to know if they are healthy and if not then they canorganise and go for treatments.
Last Updated: April 18, 2018 by Donate Blood Now
A fighting chance
“Heroes come in many different ways,” says Frances Roth of Rochester. “My family’s hero is the blood donor who saved my granddaughter’s life in November 2006. That blood donor changed the course of our lives.”
On the night of November 17, 2006, Frances’ daughter-in-law, Farrah, received a call from the family pediatrician, telling her to bring Isabella, then age three, to Strong Memorial Hospital’s pediatric emergency department at once. Isabella had seen the doctor earlier that day because of Farrah’s concern for her daughter’s poor color and lethargy. Her doctor did blood tests on Isabella and saw that her blood level was extremely low. At Strong emergency that night, her parents were told that Isabella had leukemia and an immediate transfusion was required to save her life.
“We were totally blindsided; we just thought she was anemic,” said Frances. “If Isabella had not received a transfusion that night, she would not be here. Thanks to an anonymous donor (our) granddaughter survived that night. Whoever that blood donor is, we can never say thank you enough. (He or she) saved our Isabella,” she added.
Isabella’s stay in the hospital was seven weeks long, during which she received many more blood transfusions. Although she is now home, she continues to receive chemotherapy treatments. Her treatments are scheduled to last through 2009. According to Frances, Isabella is doing well and is responding to treatments but she still has a long fight ahead of her. “It’s been a long road,” said Frances. “But if it were not for a generous blood donor, we would not have Isabella in our lives. Blood donors are heroes because their donations can help save lives. To all of them, we say thank you. You can give no better gift.”
Last Updated: April 18, 2018 by Donate Blood Now
We Depend on You
No matter what the time of year, the American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region depends on committed donors to give the “gift of life” to help ensure that quality blood products and services are always available when and where they are needed by hospital patients. Here are some facts: • One unit of blood can help save the lives of up to three people • In the United States, a blood transfusion is needed almost every two seconds • Only approximately five percent of the eligible population in the United States donates blood • Almost 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood The Red Cross needs donors to keep giving blood during all times of the year if it is to continue meeting patients’ need for blood: transfusions for trauma victims who have experienced accidents or burns; patients undergoing heart surgery or organ transplants; and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases. While it can be difficult to brave the elements during these winter months, we ask you to continue to make and keep your appointments. Your donation will help ensure that blood is available for those many patients who require this life-saving gift. It only takes about an hour of your time to help someone in need and you will leave with a great feeling in knowing that you may have helped save up to three lives. Please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit DonateBloodNow.org/DonateBlood/ now to make an appointment. Lives depend on it…. perhaps even your own. On behalf of all our patients, we thank you for your continued support of the American Red Cross.
Apheresis heroes
“It gives me great satisfaction to know that I can help others in need. Personally, I feel blessed that I can make a difference in some else’s life. I’ve been donating apheresis for approximately 28 years and plan to continue donating for the rest of my life.”
Mary Hahn, Lockport, N.Y.
“I thank God every day for my good health and so I feel that if by being an apheresis donor I can help someone in need of platelets. I must do my part. It is always a very pleasant experience when I visit the Eastern Hills site. Everyone there is cheerful and they always make me feel like I am appreciated for taking the time to give. They are a wonderful group.”