CPA Alberta has already gathered 535 blood product units this year as part of the Blood Drive Challenge. Help us shatter last year’s record of 689 units with your generous donations! In November, our target is a 100 units. Let’s unite to create a profound impact in the lives of those who require it most.
Roll up your sleeves and be a part of this essential challenge:
- Download the GiveBlood App on the App Store or Google Play
- Click “PARTNERS” tab and then click “Join an Existing Team.”
- Search for “Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta-CPA” or Challenge ID number “CHAR0090572”.
- Select “Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta-CPA”, you will be added to the team.
- Book your donation appointment in the month of November for it to count towards the challenge.
It’s normal to be a little hesitant to donate blood. Canadian Blood Services provides some tips to help you get over your fears. Chances are, you’ll find donation easy and rewarding!
Barrier #1: I’m scared donating blood is painful.
When the needle is inserted you can expect to feel a little pinch. Pain beyond that is unusual. If it hurts, please speak up right away so we can help. Canadian Blood Services has welcomed many donors with a fear of needles to Canada’s Lifeline and helped them have a positive experience. You can even speak with a healthcare professional in advance about your concerns by calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
You may find it helpful to bring a friend to your first appointment, or to have a volunteer accompany you through the process of donating for the first time. If a volunteer sounds helpful to you, just ask at the front desk when you arrive at the donor centre.
Learning in advance about the blood donation process may also help to put your mind at ease.
Barrier #2: I think there are already enough blood donors.
Sadly, this is far from true. The number of people who regularly donate is down significantly since the start of the COVID pandemic. While one in every two people in Canada are eligible to donate blood, plasma or platelets, just one in 81 do so. Canadian Blood Services needs more than 100,000 new donors a year to keep Canada’s Lifeline strong!
The donor base doesn’t just need to get bigger. It also needs to become more diverse. Did you know a patient’s life or health may depend on blood components from a donor of similar ethnic background(s)?
Barrier #3: I’m afraid I will faint if I donate blood.
Some donors do faint, but this happens only about once in 1000 donations. There are also a lot of things you can do to reduce your risk.
Get a full night’s sleep before your donation. Then on the day of your appointment, have a nutritious meal and drink plenty of fluids. You should also drink 500 mL of water or juice right before the donation and eat a salty snack. While donating, do any muscle tensing exercises that are recommended to you.
After the donation, have another drink and snack in the refreshment area and rest for 15 minutes. It’s also a good idea to keep hydrating throughout the day after your appointment.
Most faints occur during donation or immediately afterward. If you do faint, Canadian Blood Services staff are trained to help.
Barrier #4: I worry that donating blood will deplete my health and energy.
Donor eligibility criteria protect donors as well as patients. If you are eligible to donate, you can feel confident that donating is safe for you.
Iron loss is a common concern taken seriously. It’s why Canadian Blood Service checks donors’ hemoglobin levels at every visit. As a donor, you can also track your hemoglobin levels over time in the GiveBlood app. The level of hemoglobin required to donate is well above the level that would suggest iron deficiency. In select frequent donors, a ferritin levels test is conducted to identify and inform donors with low iron stores.
Some people may feel a little tired after donating, but extreme fatigue is unusual. Most people can resume normal activities after leaving the donor centre. It is recommended you stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity for six to eight hours, and avoid heavy lifting for 24 hours.
Barrier #5: I’m afraid I’ll get an infection by donating blood.
Canadian Blood Services staff are thoroughly trained and follow strict protocols, so the risk of any kind of infection from donating blood is extremely minimal. The needle used is sterile, used only once and discarded, so you are never exposed to the blood of any other donor. Just before inserting the needle, disinfectant is used to clean that area. This is to prevent bacteria on your skin from getting into your bloodstream.
Barrier #6: I don’t think I am eligible to donate blood because I have tattoos.
Good news: if it’s been three months since your last tattoo, and you’re fully healed, you may be eligible to donate.
Barrier #7: I don’t think I am eligible to donate blood because I use pot.
More good news: cannabis use doesn’t make you ineligible to donate blood or plasma, provided you are not intoxicated at your appointment (because that would prevent you from giving informed consent to donate).
Barrier #8: I don’t think I am eligible to donate blood or plasma because (insert reason here).
Please, check to be sure! You may be surprised. Even if you weren’t eligible in the past, you may learn you are eligible now because of a change in the criteria.
Did you know…
- …there is no upper age limit for blood donation?
- …many cancer survivors are eligible to donate blood?
- …you may be able to donate even if you travel regularly to places where medication to prevent malaria is recommended?
- …most prescribed medications are not a barrier to blood donation?
Barrier #9: I don’t have time to donate blood.
Are you sure? Donating blood typically takes about an hour from the time you arrive to the time you leave (with your tummy full of free snacks!). You can save time at the donor centre by doing your donor questionnaire online in advance.
Barrier #10: I doubt one donor can make much of an impact.
The components of even one blood donation can help several different patients. You could also discover that your donations have a special role in the blood system. For example, donors with the O-negative blood type are critical in emergencies and frequently in demand. You might even find out you have a rare blood type that’s just the right match for a patient with special transfusion needs.
Source: https://www.blood.ca/en/stories/10-common-barriers-donating-blood-and-plasma-and-how-get-past-them
