Blood Donation: It’s importance and why you need to do it regularly

Blood is the fluid that ferries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It also helps in eliminating waste from the body. Depending on the size, an average body contains 4-6 litres of blood. There are thousands of pints of blood required on a daily basis to save people’s lives.

People need blood transfusions for the following:

• Accidents
• Cancer
• Sickle cell
• Premature birth
• Surgery 

Why donate blood?

• Most of serious health problems use blood donated by people to save lives. Donated blood can last up to 40 days. It must be disposed off then. This means we need to regularly replenish blood so it can be useful for a dying soul.
• Your blood donation is important because it can save a life of a child, mother, father, grandfather or grandmother.
• Making blood on our own is a gift from GOD which we can provide to those who are sick or in need.

Blood Donors

• Both men and women aged 18-55 years and weighing 50 kg or more, with normal pulse rate, body temperature and blood pressure can donate blood.
• You cannot donate blood in case you are suffering from epilepsy, psychotic disorders, asthma, heart ailments, abnormal bleeding tendencies, malignancy etc.
• However, if you have malaria, hepatitis, mumps or measles, you can donate blood but only after full recovery with 3-6 months gap.
• If you are one of those who have earlier received a blood transfusion, don’t worry. You can also donate blood after 6-12 months.

Our body contains 5.5 litres of blood out of which only 350-45-ml is taken depending upon the weight of donor. Most donors recover withdrawn blood within 24 hours of donation and haemoglobin in 2 months. Therefore, it is completely secure to donate blood every 3 months.

Myths busted about blood donation

• Blood donation never leads to any kind of weakness or tiredness.
• Government of India had already issues the NOC stating that it can take blood from any licensed blood bank.
• Blood bank is not a profit making service.
• Any healthy person between 18-60 years of age can donate blood.

Instructions for blood donors

• Eat something light at least 2 hours before blood donation.
• Women should not donate blood during their menses.
• Alcoholics should never donate blood. If you have consumed alcohol and still want to donate blood, maintain a gap of 24 hours.
• If you had undergone any surgery, you should avoid donating blood for 6 months.
• Pregnant and lactating women should avoid donating blood. 

Remember, not everyone can save a life. But if you are one of those who can, it’s an opportunity to grab. Don’t let it go.