6 facts you need to know about blood donation

Donating blood is a great humanitarian act. It is a noble gesture that expresses love and care for fellow human beings. Blood donation is facilitated by medical/paramedical staff when a person volunteers for blood to be drawn with the intention of donating it.

Here are six facts that you need to know about blood donation.

1. Not everyone is eligible to donate blood. The donor should be in good general health, feeling well, and meet the following criteria.

• Must be between 18 - 60 years of age.
• Weigh a minimum of 50 kg
• Blood pressure should be in the range of 110/60 to160/90
• Pulse rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute
• Haemoglobin should be a minimum of 12 g percent for men and 12.5 g percent for women.
• Should not be on any prescription medications for any disease condition. Should not be on aspirin or any blood thinners.

2. Tell the truth, nothing but the truth at pre-screening. It is very crucial that the donor is very honest and shares the information with the doctor or nurse about any specific questions asked about lifestyle, medical history, past illnesses, surgical history, sexual habits and so on.

3. Blood donation is safe. It is safer than walking on the footpath or driving to the office every day. There is no reported case of death anywhere in the world directly associated with blood donation, in the history of the practice of modern medicine. There is no risk of any infection associated with blood donation. The needles and kit used are new and sterile and they are never reused.

4. Give freely, give often is the slogan of World Health Organisation (WHO) for blood donation. Blood cannot be manufactured; it can come only from generous, healthy donors. There is no substitute for human blood. There is a huge gap between the demand and supply of blood. Today only one percent of the eligible donors donate blood. If only two more percent of people come forward to donate blood that will serve all the demand. There is a shortage of 3 million units in India. One pint of blood can save three lives. Repeated blood donation is a good practice.

5. Blood donation does not make the donor weak or restrict daily activities. This is one of the many myths associated with the harmful effects of blood donation. The body recovers in about 36 to 48 hours. The body produces new cells faster after a donation. Donating blood does not interfere with the ability to perform physical activity. Some extra rest and water intake with avoidance of strenuous physical activity on the day of blood donation is advised and life will be normal on the next day onwards.

6. Money cannot buy blood. It is illegal to buy or sell blood or blood products in India. In the year 1997, the WHO declared that all blood donors will be unpaid volunteers. The money charged by the blood banks is the cost of processing the blood and blood products. The National Blood Transfusion Council monitors and recommends the processing fees.

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