Why Are You Charged For Blood That You Donate For Free

Blood donation is an act many people regularly exercise. For most people, the sole intention behind the cause is to help save someone's life.

Although blood donation is a free-process, the blood-bank is a multi-billion dollar industry, with a market value of $14.78 billion, as of 2020. You must be wondering how that's possible.

Well, we've got your back!

To begin with, blood donation centers rely on healthy individuals to show up and contribute a whole unit of blood. Not everyone is eligible to donate; and hence, the donors are screened in the transfusion centre. Once this process is completed and screening approved, one is allowed to donate blood.

Once the blood is taken, a number is assigned and is packed on ice. The packet is now ready to undergo the manufacturing stage.

During the upcoming cycle, the blood is split into different elements. Professionals separate White Blood Cells (WBCs) as their first task.

Then, plasma is separated from the Red Blood Cells (RBCs). A sample of this blood is now sent to the lab for further investigations.

The blood sent is now checked for contaminants such as HIV and Hepatitis C. The test usually takes a day to complete.With the arrival of the approved test results, the sample needs to be matched to the patient; since the transfusion of an unmatched blood can lead to fatal outcomes.

The matched blood is eventually transfused to needy patients.Hence, you aren't technically paying for the blood, but rather for the processes involved. You're paying for the bag used to hold blood, and for equipment required for testing and transfusion.All these costs are recuperation costs, not designed for profit.

Consequently, there is a fixed price for a unit of blood. The price you pay is therefore, for testing, processing, matching and transfusion.Blood banks, for that reason, charge prices per unit of blood, and make an income out of it. 

Be the reason someone's heart beats strong: donate blood today !!!