Before You Give: Making an Informed Choice About Blood Donation with Joel Addams, MD

Not all blood donations are the same, andnot every donor experience is straightforward.In this episode, we lean on the expertise of Joel Addams,MD, MA, FCAP, Medical Director of Clinical Pathology, to walk through what reallyhappens before, during, and after you donate blood.From the questions you’ll be asked to why you might be turned away, we unpack the critical differences between screening and testing, what ensures the safety of the blood supply, and where ethics come into play.But this conversation goes further.Through the lens of Patient Blood Management, wechallenge the assumption that donating blood is always a simple “yes”—and instead explore how donors and clinicians alike can make informed, thoughtful decisions.Because this isn’t just about giving blood.It’s about understanding it.Have a story or concern about blood donation ethics? Shareit in the comments. We’re listening and may feature it in a future episode.