For many, the prospect of donating blood is a daunting one. After all, blood is so important to our well-being; losing so much blood in one sitting and giving it away to an unknown person can be frightening prospects to those who might not understand the science behind blood or donation.

Unfortunately, there are many myths about donating that confuse those already frightened by the idea of donation. Because we are in the midst of a major blood shortage, it is critical that anyone capable of giving blood do so. To that end, here are a few of the most pernicious myths about donating blood and the truth to dispel them.

Donating Blood Causes Illness or Infection

Many people have phobias associated with any type of medical procedure, believing that healthcare facilities are destined to cause disease of some sort. However, the truth is that most healthcare centers are kept especially clean to prevent any chance of transmitting illness. Though working with blood can be dangerous, there is almost no risk to donors because most equipment they interact with is single-use and because all spaces are designed to separate and eliminate pathogens.

What’s more, donors undergo a rigorous health screening before they are cleared to give blood. This screening helps identify potential health issues that could arise as a result of a blood donation. Only the healthiest people are allowed to donate blood. Though some donors might feel tired or slightly dizzy after their donation, they will not develop a serious, lasting condition.

Giving Blood Takes Too Much Time

The initial registration and health screening that donors endure can take up to an hour, and some types of blood donation, like platelet donation, can take up to two hours. However, most whole blood donations from experienced donors require hardly more than 10 minutes. Most people can fit in an appointment to give blood during their lunch break and still have time to spare.

Donating Blood Hurts

Some donors report a small pinch associated with the initial insertion of the catheter used to collect blood. There can be a similar pinch when the catheter is removed, and the arm used to donate might feel a little bruised for the rest of the day, especially if donors don’t remove the pressured bandage after a couple hours. Peeling the bandage off might also cause a small sting. For the most part, these brief and minor sensations are the only pain a donor will feel during the donation process. By and large, donation is pain-free.

Certain People Can’t Give Blood

Some of the most frustrating myths about blood donation involve who can and cannot give blood. While blood donors do need to be free of disease and of an appropriate size, there are remarkably few restrictions on who can make donations. For example:

Those with tattoos and piercings can donate. As long as the tattoo or piercing was done at a state-regulated facility, recipients of tattoos and piercings can donate immediately after their body modifications.

Vegans and vegetarians can donate. Diet has little effect on a donor’s eligibility. As long as vegans and vegetarians weigh over 110 pounds and do not suffer from deficiencies like anemia, they are welcome to donate.

Old and young people can donate. The minimum age for blood donation is 16, but there is no maximum age for donors.

Donated Blood Is Stored Forever

Blood is much too valuable — and certainly not shelf-stable enough — to remain in a storage facility for very long. Some components of blood expire after only a few days outside the body; the longest-lasting components are only viable for a few weeks, even in cold storage. Plus, a continuous blood shortage all but ensures that donated blood will be used for transfusions as quickly as possible, so donors have little reason to fear that their donations will be stored for some nefarious purpose. Besides, the majority of blood contains no DNA; power red, platelet or plasma donations remove the components that contain DNA, so donations of these types are especially safe.

Blood donation is safe, painless, fast and imperative for the health and wellness of a community. Most myths surrounding blood donation are false and dangerous, given that they can dissuade potential donors and cause blood shortages that put everyone at increased risk. By dispelling these myths, we can encourage more widespread blood donation, which is an unmitigated good.