Donate Blood - Gift Life

Beat the myth

Donating blood is safe and simple. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the blood donation process. Any healthy adult between 18 years and 60 years of age can donate blood.

This is what you can expect when you are ready to donate blood:

• You walk into a reputed and safe blood donation center or a mobile camp organized by a reputed institution.
• A few questions will be asked to determine your health status (general questions on health, donation history etc). Usually you will be asked to fill out a short form.
• Then a quick physical check will be done to check temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin content in blood to ensure you are a healthy donor.
• If found fit to donate, then you will be asked to lie down on a resting chair or a bed. Your arm will be thoroughly cleaned. Then using sterile equipments blood will be collected in a special plastic bag. Approximately 350 ml of blood will be collected in one donation. Those who weigh more than 60 Kg can donate 450 ml of blood.
• Then you must rest and relax for a few minutes with a light snack and something refreshing to drink. Some snacks and juice will be provided.
• Blood will be separated into components within eight hours of donation
• The blood will then be taken to the laboratory for testing.
• Once found safe, it will be kept in special storage and released when required.
• The blood is now ready to be taken to the hospital, to save lives.

Blood Groups

Blood type is determined by which antibodies and antigens the person's blood produces. An individual has two types of blood groups namely ABO-grouping and Rh-grouping. Rh is called as the Rhesus factor that has come to us from Rhesus monkeys.

Most humans are in the ABO blood group. The ABO group has four categories namely

• A group
• B group
• 3O group and
• AB group
• In the Rh- group, either the individual is said to be Rh- Negative or Rh- Positive.

Thus blood group of any human being will mainly fall in any one of the following groups.

• A positive or A negative
• B positive or B negative
• positive or O negative
• AB positive or AB negative.

Universal Donors and Recipients

The most common blood type is O, followed by type A.

Type O individuals are often called "universal donors" since their blood can be transfused into persons with any blood type. Those with type AB blood are called "universal recipients" because they can receive blood of any type.

However, since approximately twice as many people in the general population have O and A blood types, a blood bank's need for this type of blood increases exponentially.

DO donate blood, only if you satisfy all of the following conditions

• You are between age group of 18-60 years.
• Your weight is 45 kgs or more.
• Your hemoglobin is 12.5 gm% minimum.
• Your last blood donation was 3 or more months earlier.
• You are healthy and have not suffered from malaria, typhoid or other transmissible disease in the recent past.

DO NOT donate blood, if you have any of the following conditions

• Cold / fever in the past 1 week.
• Under treatment with antibiotics or any other medication.
• Cardiac problems, hypertension, epilepsy, diabetes (on insulin therapy), history of cancer, chronic kidney or liver disease, bleeding tendencies, venereal disease etc.
• Major surgery in the last 6 months.
• Vaccination in the last 24 hours.
• Had a miscarriage in the last 6 months or have been pregnant / lactating in the last one year.
• Had fainting attacks during last donation.
• Have regularly received treatment with blood products.
• Shared a needle to inject drugs/ have history of drug addiction.
• Had sexual relations with different partners or with a high risk individual.
• Been tested positive for antibodies to HIV.

A Healthy Donor

A healthy diet helps ensure a successful blood donation, and also makes you feel better! Check out the following recommended foods to eat prior to your donation.

• Low fat foods
• Iron rich foods

Health benefits of donating blood

Improves Heart Health

• Donating blood improves your overall cardiovascular health. Increased level of iron in the blood raises the chance of heart disease. Regularly donating blood helps males in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood. This can reduce the chance of heart attack by 88%. Additionally, regular blood donation can lower the risk of severe cardiovascular events such as stroke by 33%.

Enhances the Production of New Blood Cells

• When blood is withdrawn, the donor's body immediately begins to replenish the lost blood. New cells are produced by marrow within 48 hours of donation, and all of the red blood cells the donor loses during donation are completely replaced within one to two months. Therefore, donating blood helps to stimulate the production of new blood cells. This process of replenishment can help your body stay healthy and work more efficiently.

Burns Calories

• Donating blood on a regular basis can also improve fitness. Donating one pint of blood (450 ml) burns 650 calories in donor's body.
• Enhances Feeling of Well Being in Elderly People
• Many elderly people who are in good health have reported feeling invigorated and reenergized by giving blood on a regular basis.

Reduces Cancer Risk

• Give blood to help lower your risk of cancer. According to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, consistent blood donation is associated with lowered risks of cancers, including liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat cancers. Risk levels drop in correlation with how often participants donate blood.

Free Health Screening Done

• In addition to all of these benefits, a donor receives a free prior health screening plus mini blood test. There will be an HB level test, as well as a blood pressure and body check.  Blood is also tested for some major diseases and the donor is immediately informed in strict confidentiality if any of these tests show positive results.

Saves Lives

• By donating blood, many lives are saved and hope is given to many whose situation may otherwise be hopeless. Blood donors give such patients a second lease of life.

Brings Joy to Many

• When you donate blood, you impact not only the patient whose life may depend on your donation, but also all those who depend on that patient. The entire community will benefit from  he spirit of generosity.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_donation
www.indianredcross.org

Source: Sree Harsha gs