Did you know there are health benefits to donating blood?

According to Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Donor Relations Consultant Chris Ciasto a single blood donation can impact four lives. January is National Blood Donor Month, and besides helping others in need, donating blood can positively affect your health. Ciasto equates blood donations as an oil change for your body, “Once you donate a bag of blood your body immediately starts to replenish those red cells, so your body creates lots of fresh oxygenated red cells. So you really kind of feel better a week or so after donating and a lot of people are like, ‘Hey, I got a little hop in my step!’ So sometimes that’s why.”

Ciasto adds donating blood can be especially beneficial for men, as their iron levels are typically higher than women’s. A donation naturally thins out the iron level, which can lessen the risk for organ damage, heart attack, diabetes, and cancer. The City of Riverside is hosting a blood drive January 29 at the Riverside Fire Department. For more information on upcoming area blood drives visit our community calendar page.