Health Benefits of Blood Donation
Tabinda Salman
Hello All,
June is a blessed month as this month is associated with a noble cause, which is blood donation. 14th June is observed as the Blood donation day globally. Celebration of the Blood donation day was first initiated by the World Health Organization in the year 2004.
Blood is one of the most essential fluids that helps in the smooth functioning of our body. It is a fact that blood can’t be made or manufactured, so the only hope for the patients depends on the blood donors for their lives. It is the most valuable gift that we can ever give to anyone. It might be a small contribution from us but it’s a lifesaving act for people with blood loss in case of accidents, surgeries, pregnancy, chronic anaemia associated with sickle cell disease, Thalassemia, aplastic anaemia, leukaemia, bleeding disorders, and serious infections associated with white blood cells or cancers.
Blood donation not only provides us with physical benefits but also can give us spiritual calamity. Donating something of your own is indeed a great deed and especially if it’s your blood then there is nothing big to prove your humanitarianism. The need for blood is constant, but only about 3% of age-eligible people donate Blood yearly.
Before donating blood there is a protocol that all of us should follow. These guidelines are provided at all the blood collection units, and they should strictly be followed. The donor should undergo Blood Grouping, Screening against Transfusion Transmitted Infections including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Malaria, Syphilis, HIV, and AIDS. Let’s discuss donor eligibility in detail.
Eligibility Criteria for Blood Donation
1. The age of the blood donor must be between 17 to 65 years.
2. The ideal weight for a blood donor is 50 kg or more, not less than that.
3. The donor should be in good health with no history of a serious illness.
4. The donor must have to drink 3 to 4 glasses of water and have a meal 2 hours before donation.
5. The donor must have donated the blood at least more than 3 months before.
6. Haemoglobin level must be checked, for males, the level must be more than 13.5 and for females, the haemoglobin level should be more than 12.5 g/dl.
7. Blood pressure should be within the range of 120/80 mmHg.
Different Kinds of Blood Donation
Blood donation is of four types, which are:
Whole blood donation
The whole blood donation procedure is the most common type of donation one can witness. People with all blood groups are eligible for this procedure, half a liter of blood is taken. The blood can be transfused as a whole, or it can also get separated into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Platelets donation
Platelets are tiny cells in the body, they help to stop bleeding by clotting the blood. People with clotting problems, cancer, organ transplants, and major surgeries may need platelets only. The donated platelets can be used within five days only. An apheresis machine is used to collect platelets with some plasma. The red blood cells and most of the plasma are returned to the body after the collection of platelets.
Plasma donation
Plasma donation is required for people suffering from liver conditions, severe bacterial infections, or burns. These conditions need plasma for clotting the blood and to stop bleeding. Plasma is taken through the apheresis machine, and the other blood components are returned to the donor. The AB blood group is the most common type by which plasma can be taken and transfused to any person regardless of the blood group. The donor can donate plasma every 28 days.
Red blood cell donation
Red blood cells play an important role in carrying oxygen to every part of the body. Patients who lose a major part of their blood through excessive trauma, major surgery, or acute anaemia require blood donation from red blood cells.
Red blood cells are extracted from the blood through the apheresis machine while the rest is returned to the donor. The body requires significant time to replace red blood cells. Hence, doctors advise maintaining a gap of 168 days before the next blood donation.
Health Benefits of blood donation
Blood donation is not just only a cure for the patients, but it also gives health benefits to the donor.
Here are some of the health benefits of donating blood:
· Donating blood helps in the improvement of the immunity of the body.
· Donation Improves overall fitness and well-being.
· It Lowers the Risk of Heart attack and high Blood pressure in the donor.
· It reduces Blood Cholesterol.
· It helps in the production of new Red Blood Cells.
· It prevents hemochromatosis (Excess iron)
· It Lowers Cancer Risk
· It improves Liver Health
· Helps maintain weight
· Speeds up the healing process
· Prevents premature aging
· Free screening of blood
Spiritual Benefits
While there are many physical benefits to donating blood, the most powerful health benefit is hidden in the psychological or spiritual realm, which includes:
· Sadqa and zakat of your body
· Makes the donor psychologically satisfied
· Longevity of life
· Reduce stress
· Improve emotional well-being
· Help get rid of negative feelings
· This generous cause can give the donor a sense of belonging and he can never feel isolated.
During a regular donation, it is estimated that around 470ml of the blood is drawn, which is 8% of the average adult’s blood volume. The body has the ability to restore this volume within 1-2 days, afterwards it stocks up RBCs in 10 to 12 weeks.
Myths related to Blood Donation
There are various myths that are proven to be wrong regarding Blood Donation. Some of them are:
· Donating blood makes you sick
· Medicating person can’t donate blood
· Donating blood is painful
· One can donate blood only once a year
Blood donation is a healthy process that can benefit your body positively. There is nothing more precious than human blood. Donating blood is undoubtedly an effort to save lives. On behalf of NAYS-Pakistan, we would suggest you share blood to save a life because one bag of blood can bring back one from the dead. Give blood to save a life and get freedom from several health problems. This is the greatest gift one can give to fellow humans. Blood donors are the saviors of mankind!!!
Article: Ms. Sundeela Fayyaz
Best Regards,
Chief coordinator
National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) Pakistan,