Do you Know the Benefits of Blood Donation?

Blood donation is a noble gesture that is required today by the society as donated blood is lifesaving for individuals who need it. There is a shortage to active blood donors to meet the need of increased blood demand. Globally, approximately 80 million units of blood are donated each year. One of the biggest challenges to blood safety particularly is accessing safe and adequate quantities of blood and blood products at the right time. Safe supply of blood and blood components is essential, to enable a wide range of critical care procedures to be carried out in hospitals. However today we see a growing concern about the practices of safe blood donation in donors, hospitals and nurses.

Blood donation is as discussed is not just helping some out in need, but is also a practice that benefits the donors health as well. Studies highlight that it is healthy for us to donate atleast once in 6 months. Hence interactive awareness on blood donation should be organized to create awareness and opportunities for blood donation.

Facts about Blood and Blood Donation:

• There is no substitute for human Blood
• Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all of the body
• Blood fights against infection and helps heal wounds
• Red Blood Cells live about 120 days in our bodies
• Giving blood will not decrease your strength
• You cannot get AIDS or any other blood disease by donating blood.
• Anyone who is in good health is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 50 Kgs may donate blood every 56 days.
• Blood centers often run short of type O and B blood

Benefits of Donating Blood:

• In patients prone to iron overload, blood donation prevents the accumulation of toxic quantities.
• Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men.
• A single blood donation can save up to three lives.
• Donating blood may not only benefit the person who received the blood cells but may also improve the health of the donor.
• Blood donation also burns the extra calories and reduces your cholesterol level.
• After donating blood, the count of blood cells decreases in our body, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in order to replenish the loss. So, it stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system.