With more than 19 years of experience in business development, client support, and operations, Gary Rixson now works as Region Vice President for Balance Innovations, a software company specializing in retail cash management software. One of Gary Rixson’s favorite charities is the American Red Cross. Even if someone can’t afford to donate money, the Red Cross is always looking for healthy blood donors. Someone considering giving blood should use these tips to ensure the process goes smoothly.

1. Three Tips for Smooth Blood
Donation
Gary Rixson

2. Introduction
 With more than 19 years of experience in business
development, client support, and operations, Gary Rixson
now works as vice president of business development at
Balance Innovations, a software company specializing in
retail software. One of Gary Rixson’s favorite charities is
the American Red Cross. Even if someone can’t afford to
donate money, the Red Cross is always looking for
healthy blood donors. Someone considering giving blood
should use these tips to ensure the process goes
smoothly.
1. Drink extra water. The Red Cross recommends 16
ounces before donating and four extra eight-ounce
glasses over the next day. The extra water helps keep
someone hydrated during the donation process and
helps the body recover more quickly.

3. Donating Blood
 2. Eat iron-rich healthy food. Food like red meat,
fish, beans, and spinach help raise iron levels,
making recovery easier as the body has less work to
do to replenish iron levels. Similarly, avoid fatty
foods, as they can ruin the tests that the Red Cross
runs on blood, making a donation useless.
3. If someone start to feel weak or dizzy after
donating, rest immediately. The Red Cross suggests
avoiding activities where one might faint and get
injured for 24 hours after a donation.