Blood donations can be the life-saving difference for patients undergoing surgery, trauma victims, or individuals with certain medical conditions like cancer or anemia. But beyond being good for the soul, donating blood can potentially be good for you as well.  

Potential blood donation benefits 

Bruce Williams, the Director of Laboratory Services at Frederick Health, described several different health benefits associated with regular donations. 

“When you donate blood, you’re basically getting a free mini-wellness-check,” said Williams. “Your vitals are checked to make sure you’re fit to donate, you’re screened for infectious diseases, and your blood type is identified.” 

At Frederick Health’s new Blood Donor Center, clinicians measure your essential body functions by checking your vitals. That includes your body temperature, heart and breathing rate, and blood pressure.  

These items combined help Frederick Health clinicians assess your overall health status, and that information can point to the presence of medical conditions or any potential diseases. If you have a current medical condition, it can also help determine if there have been any changes you might be unaware of. 

“If we detect any potential medical issues during your blood donation, we will reach out to you and direct you to a physician for a full evaluation,” said Williams.  

Cardiovascular benefits 

In addition to getting a mini-physical at no cost to you, there are certain cardiovascular benefits associated with regular blood donation. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), regular blood donation has been linked to lower blood pressure, which can lower the risk of a heart attack.  

“Blood donations can help lower the blood’s thickness, especially in those who have higher levels of hemoglobin,” said Williams. High hemoglobin levels are associated with the formation of blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke. 

Screening can help catch it early, potentially before symptoms even show. Early treatment of an illness is the best way to prevent long-term damage to your body. 

Discover your blood type 

Knowing your blood type can also better prepare you for your medical future. If your blood type is considered rare, that is essential information for any future surgeries or other medical situations where a blood transfusion may be required.  

There are eight different blood types: 

• A+   

• A-  

• B+   

• B-  

• AB+  

• AB-  

• O+  

• O-  
   

Among these, type O- is the highest in-demand as it is the universal donor type, meaning it can be given to patients with any blood type in emergencies. Type O+ is also high in demand, as it can be received by a large portion of the population. 

In other words, finding out your blood type doesn’t just serve you—it can save the lives of countless people, potentially without even needing to share blood types. 

How the donation process works 

At Frederick Health’s Blood Donor Center, the donation process is simple. Our experienced clinicians will check your eligibility to donate, asking questions concerning: 

• Your overall health and medications you are taking  

• If you have traveled to or lived in other countries 

• Your risk for infections that can be transmitted by blood – especially HIV (which is the virus that causes AIDS), and viral hepatitis 

We will take your blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and a small blood sample to ensure your blood count and iron levels are acceptable before you donate.  

Once you’ve been screened for eligibility, you can sit back and relax while a unit of blood, approximately one pint, is collected by one of our expert clinicians. This process typically takes around 10-15 minutes. 

Before you donate 

Before you donate, be sure to eat a full, ideally iron-rich meal and drink plenty of fluids at least four hours prior to donating. You’ll want to avoid alcohol and fatty foods 24 hours before donation and avoid taking aspirin at least 48 hours before donation. 

Remember to bring proper identification, such as a driver’s license to your appointment. 

After you donate 

Within minutes, you will have helped save at least one life. You can enjoy refreshments while relaxing for at least 15-30 minutes before leaving the Blood Donor Center—you've earned it! A Frederick Health clinician may reach out to you afterwards regarding any medical issues discovered after processing your donation. 

The Frederick Health Blood Donor Center is here for you  

Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S needs a blood transfusion. Roughly one in seven patients entering Frederick Health Hospital will need blood. 

By donating to the Frederick Health Blood Donor Center, you ensure that your blood donation is staying here in the community, which will potentially help your neighbors, coworkers, and family. A single donation can benefit as many as three patients!  

Not only is this process entirely free, it is a great way to give back to others and make a direct impact on your community. 

Conveniently located at our Frederick Health Village location, our blood donation center is a critical tool in ensuring a steady blood supply to respond to emergencies, natural disasters, accidents, and other significant events that could impact our community.  

To schedule a donation or check availability, you can call 240-566-3700 or visit www.frederickhealth/blooddonor to schedule online and learn more about the blood donation process.