The gift of blood is the gift of life.

There is no substitute for human blood.

There is a inner pride when you donate blood for those who need it.

Why do you need to pay so much attention to blood donation-

1. Every two seconds someone needs blood.
2. India needs five crore units of blood every year but only 40 lakh units are available .

Voluntary unpaid blood donor is a person who gives blood, plasma or other blood components of his/her own free will and receives no payment in return for it.

A person can donate blood either in a licensed blood bank, blood donations camps or at a mobile blood donation camps.

Voluntary blood donation remains a distant phenomenon in India. The reasons being, having misconceptions, being misinformed and to much extent ignorance about the effect and safety of blood donation.

Some Common Myths about Blood Donations

Myth 1- Donating blood makes the immune system weak. 

Donating Blood makes immune system weak is a myth which even some educated fails to understand. Rather, there are several benefits of donating blood. According to studies, donating blood reduces once’s risk of heart disease and cholesterol. Moreover to the advantage, you receive a free prior health screening and a mini blood test.

Donating blood is a safe process.

A “sterile needle” which is used only once for each donor Donating blood and then it is discarded.

Myth 2: Blood donation is time-consuming

Whole Blood donation process takes 45 minutes to an hour. This donation process includes barely 10-12 minutes, for taking out 1unit of blood. However remaining times is accounted for the process from like filling out forms to taking refreshments. Moreover in mobile camps, the formalities take even lesser time.

Myth 3: People who weigh heavier are eligible for donating blood, those who weigh lighter aren’t

Ideal weighing condition is 50KG for a normal human being. However there is nothing to with weight of a person. Every body produce different level of blood.

Myth 4: If you’re diabetic or high BP or seasonal allergies, blood donation isn’t for you

This is some exceptional case, where people with diabetes or heart problems and with blood pressure from type 2 diabetes can’t donate blood.

Myth 5: A blood donor is prone to infections

Every time, a fresh Syringe (needle) is used for each blood donor. So, there is no chance of an infection that is usually assumed to be transferred from needles — like HIV — from blood donation.

Myth 6: One day of rest is needed after donating blood

You can resume to your daily routine right after donating blood. Also you make sure to drink enough water and juices to replenish your body fluids. You should also avoid alcohol and direct sunlight for 24 hours. But, donating blood doesn’t give you enough of an excuse to bunk your daily work.

Myth 7: Blood donation hurts

The only pain one feels when donating blood is of the needle prick. The area on the arm heals within a day or two. The weakness after donating blood can be dealt with drinking plenty of water and also by eating.

Myth 8: If you smoke, you cannot be a blood donor

You can donate blood even if you are a smoker, provided that you are at least 18 years old and weigh at least 50 kilograms. Also it is advisable to stay away from smoking for 3 hours after donating blood. Moreover, avoid consumption of Alcohol for 24 hours before donating.

Facts about blood donation-

• There is need of More than 38000 blood donations every day.
• Healthy donors age between 18 to 65 years & weigh above 50 kg.
• The Haemoglobin level of females shall not be less than 12.0 g/dl and that for males 13.0 g/dl.
• Over 1 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year. Quite many of them will be needing blood, sometimes, daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• Victim of A single car accident can require as many as 100 units of blood.
• O-negative blood Type (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood typee.. It is always in great demand and often in short supply.
• AB+ Blood Type plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types. AB plasma is also usually in short supply.
• The average adult body have about 10 units of blood. Roughly 1 unit of blood is given during a donation.
• A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as 7 days apart but Maximum of 24 times a year.
• Before transfusing donated blood to patients, it is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases.
• One Unite of Blood can help/save the lives of upto three people.
• If you start donating blood at the age 18 and consistently donates every 90 days, you would have donated 30 gallons of blood, until you reached 60, potentially helping save more than 500 lives!
• A shelf life of donated blood is 35 to 42 days; hence there is a constant need to replenish stocks in the blood bank.

If you are in Bhopal you are in need of Blood, Apna Bhopal Blood Help Group will help you without any greed.

Where/How can you donate blood-

Visit-

1)https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html

You can also conduct a blood donation camp or drive by contacting red cross blood services.

2)http://www.aabb.org/tm/donation/Pages/Blood-Bank-Locator.aspx

This link basically will help you find blood banks near your location.

3)https://www.eraktkosh.in/BLDAHIMS/bloodbank/about.cnt

The basic objectives of e- raktkosh are-

• Safe and Adequate Blood Supplies
• Reduced Turnaround Time
• Preventing Wastage of Blood
• Restrict Professional Donors
• Networking of Blood Banks
• Donor Repository

4) Participate in blood donation drives or stay connected to certain organisations which organise these camps.

(Personally, I am blessed to be a part of National Service Scheme and Rotaract club which organise blood donation camps every year and also create awareness about the same.) You can always be a part of certain social welfare organisations.