How are you doing with your new year’s resolutions, El Mirage? In case you’ve procrastinated with making any, or if you’re already tired of the ones you made, we’d like to offer a suggestion for a rewarding and impactful goal for 2025: donate blood. 

There is a need for donated blood every 2 seconds in the United States. Blood donations are needed for many situations including treating cancer, organ failure, surgeries, transfusion needs, injuries, and more. And given the short shelf life of donations, there is a constant need for new donations.

January is National Blood Donor Month, which provides a great opportunity for us to dispel some misconceptions about donating blood, and discuss how crucial donating is to the health of the El Mirage community. 

Have you believed any of these myths about blood donation?

• Myth: It takes too much time
  Truth: From beginning to end, your entire blood donation appointment will likely take about an hour. The actual donation time only takes about 10 minutes.
• Myth: It will hurt too much
  Truth: Aside from the tourniquet on your arm, and a slight pinch on your skin from the needle, donating blood does not hurt. Some people do report experiencing temporary lightheadedness during or after their donation.
• Myth: I can’t donate because I have piercings and/or tattoos
  Truth: If you’ve received a tattoo or piercing at a state regulated establishment using a single-use needle, there are no donation restrictions for you. If you’ve received a tattoo or piercing under different circumstances, you only need to wait a year before donating blood.
• Myth: My blood pressure is probably too high
  Truth: When you go in for your appointment, the staff at the blood donation center will do a health screening that includes taking your blood pressure. Generally speaking, as long as your blood pressure is 180/100 or below, you’ll be cleared to donate.
• Myth: Blood donation events are too hard to find
  Truth: You don’t have to wait for an event to donate, although by visiting Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross, you can find upcoming donor events in your area. There are many medical centers where you can make an appointment when it’s convenient for you – this website can help you locate one: Where to Donate Blood

By donating blood in El Mirage, you’ll be strengthening the health of your community. Having a local store of donated blood means the world to someone in crisis; every minute that passes without someone receiving the donated blood they need can lead to sharper decreases in their survival rate. And because each blood donation can be used for up to three different medical needs, the hour you spend towards this effort, a few times per year, can have a very significant impact.

Medical centers in El Mirage such as the El Mirage 24/7 Emergency Room depend on life-saving blood donations for many of our medical interventions. We thank you in advance for considering donating blood as an addition to your 2025 goals.