Facts and myths of blood donations and the responsibility of senior blood donors
National Voluntary Blood Donation day is observed on 1st of October every year, which coincides with International Day of Older Persons. While this article clears doubts and myths about blood donation, an appeal is also made to the senior blood donors, who donated blood while they were young, to pass on the legacy of fearless blood donation to the next generations.
Myths and Facts about Blood Donation
Myth: Aged persons cannot donate blood.
Fact: People in between 18 - 65 age group who are healthy can donate blood.
Myth: One can donate blood once in a year.
Fact: No, one can donate blood every three months.
Myth: It takes more than 3 months to recover the donated blood.
Fact: No, Body recovers the blood donated within 24 hours to a maximum 7 days.
Myth: Blood donation causes weakness and/or fatigue.
Fact: No, Blood donation not only makes you feel energetic but also helps to build your self-esteem and respect in the society.
Myth: Maximum of 100 ml of blood be donated.
Fact: One can donate up to 350 ml of blood being approx 7% of a total of 5 litres of blood in the average healthy body.
Myth: Donor catches blood-borne infections like HIV, HCV and AIDS and HBV.
Fact: No blood transfusion or collection system is fully sterilized according to international standards. Rather the donated blood of the donors is tested for such infections free of cost including other investigations to know if the blood is fit for blood transfusion. The donors are informed about the facts after testing their blood so as to undergo further screening.
Myth: Girls and Women cannot donate blood.
Fact: No, Girls and Women can donate blood except expecting mothers and lactating mothers.
Other Facts:
Individuals with Blood Group O- are universal donors in the sense that O-ve blood can be given to any individual with any blood group. Similarly individuals with Blood Group AB+ are Universal recipients in the sense that they can be given or transfused blood from amongst any blood group individuals. See the table above and if you like the post then share with your friends and contacts on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, LinkedIn and Yahoo Groups.
Blood Donors with ID Card Issued by the Blood Banks get preference to receive the blood for themselves, their nears and dears from the Blood Banks.
Blood Donors get special leave from their employers in the public sector or private sector.
One unit of blood, on an average, can save four precious lives.
Donated Blood has no Caste or Creed – it is the stream of life in the human body.
No Gift can equal the Gift of Life – Blood running in your veins.
Don't shed blood, Donate Blood.
Don't Sell Blood and if you find any activity of professional blood donation during emergent needs in hospitals, help the patients to get blood from other sources or nearest blood banks. Blood donations by professional blood sellers can be risky both for the donor and the recipient. Dissuade such activities in your locality.
In times of natural calamities, wars and riots, blood requirement with Blood Banks increases. In such emergencies come forward voluntarily.
Responsibilities of Senior Donors amongst Senior Citizens:
Senior Citizens, sitting in Senior Citizens Clubs can undertake the duty of maintenance of Local Registers of Donors like Name, Address, Contact Number, Blood Group and they can promote the awareness campaigns in their localities to pursue the local residents to come forward such noble causes. Read further as to How Senior Citizens can help the Society.
Note from Author: This article is a tribute to Prof. Jai Gopal Jolly, who started the concept of Voluntary Blood Donation in India, and passed away on 5th October 2013.
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very good article written by author, this gives information to nonmedical person and can motivate younger to donate blood. This article clears misunderstanding about blood donation.
Here I would like to add some care after donation:
1. Take more fluid in next few days.
2. If puncture site becomes black/brown/red after donation, then aplly ice on it.
3. Avoid heavy exercises for 2-4 days.
4. Remove band aid after 4-6 hours.
5. Do not smoke for half an hour and do not take alcohol without eating something.