Top 10 Reasons that You Should Become a Blood Donor

Donating blood entails letting a stranger stick a needle in your arm and literally letting them suck out your essential life force. While on the surface this may seem like a bad idea, there are actually many positive reasons that you should become a blood donor. In this article we will outline the top ten reasons why you should overcome the superficial discomfort and apprehension involved with the process, and become a blood donor.

1. To begin this list, let us first debunk the number one reason that people give for why they do not think they should become a blood donor: they think it will hurt. While it is true that you will feel a little pinprick, the pain isn't nearly bad enough to justify a decision to not become a blood donor and lose out on the chance to save hundreds of lives. The most painful part of the entire process is actually before they begin the blood donation: They will take a small sample of blood from your finger in order to test your iron levels. This hurts about as much as a stubbed toe but the pain will fade much faster.

9. The second reason that you should become a blood donor is that you can get free cookies! After every blood donation it's recommended that you hang around the blood donation center (just to make sure you don't have an adverse reaction, get faint while you're driving, etc.). During this time they will invariably provide you with a variety of snacks, from bottled water to Nutter Butters.

8. The next reason that you should become a blood donor is closely linked to the last reason you should become a blood donor: you can get free stuff. Beyond just the complementary cookies, blood donation banks will usually give you coupons for free food or other products from nearby businesses. They will often also give you free tickets to music or sports events in exchange for your blood donation.

7. You should become a blood donor if you are trying to lose weight. Every time you give blood you burn 650 calories (the amount of energy it takes for your body to replace a pint of blood). This is probably one of the easiest ways to burn calories: all you have to do is sit there for 10 minutes. It would take a solid hour of hard running (6.5 miles per hour) to burn the same amount of calories a you would if you become a blood donor.

6. You should become a blood donor because you will find out if you have healthy iron levels. Before every blood donation they take a small sample and test it to see if you have a healthy iron level. Iron is important because it allows your blood to carry oxygen to the parts of your body that need it. Low iron levels can cause fatigue and dizziness.

5. You should become a blood donor because than you can feel good about doing something altruistic. You can also rub it in the faces of all your friends who do not donate blood. First time blood donors usually get a pin that says something to the effect of "Be nice to me, it's my first time!".

4. If you donate blood you get a snazzy member's card with your blood type on it. This is useful if you're ever in an emergency situation and personnel need to know your blood type quickly for transfusions.

3. You should become a blood donor because it can substitute as your good deed for the day if you can't afford to make monetary donations for charity. Giving blood is free for you and is one of the most intensely personal things you can give someone.

2. You should become a blood donor because chances are, you can. Almost anyone can give blood as long as they don't have an infectious disease, recently acquired tattoos or piercings or are in poor health. If you have a condition such as diabetes you can usually donate as long as it is under control

1. Everyone two seconds, in the United States alone, someone needs a blood transfusion. Very often there is not enough blood or the right type of blood available to accommodate those who need it. Ultimately, the reason that you should become a blood donor is that it allows you to save the lives of thousands of people across the country.