Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Donating blood for some people may be a scary thought, however, it isn’t as bad as you may think. Donating blood could save the life of someone you know, or even a total stranger.

Lori Kirbach, a Lab Specialist for Memorial Health, spoke on the WTAX Morning Newswatch, and explained reasons why it is crucial that blood donations continue to be received, and where your donation goes.

“We have some components, platelets especially for cancer patients that only have a seven-day shelf life” Kirbach said. This would imply that if those specific components aren’t used in time, they have to be disposed of. A good reason to keep the donations coming in so as to not run out of those platelets that these patients desperately need.

When it comes to donating, one single donation goes a long way. “Up to three different patients can benefit from one donation,” said Kirbach.

As far as where your blood donation goes all depends on the type of donation.

“It depends on also what you give, whether you give specifically just platelets, or you give whole blood. We even have some really healthy people that can give two units of red blood cells only. It all depends on what your count is and when was the last time you donated.”

Giving just platelets, however, is a more difficult process.

“What we do is we take your whole blood out of your body, thin it down, take the platelets out, and then give you everything else back. That is a specific component for patients such as cancer patients or people that have a low platelet count,” stated Kirbach.