Give The Best That’s In You ! Give Blood.
Blood is that fragile scarlet tree we carry within us. (Osbert Sitwell)
Currently, less than 10% of the eligible population gives blood on a regular basis this figure comes from the latest annual report of the National Blood Service,
Blood that is rare or special is almost always in short supply. There is a constant need for the blood suply in order to avoid having to recruit specific blood types in a crisis.
My sister used to give blood regularly. She was my inspiration to start donating. She taught me the importance of donating blood so that others that need it will have it. I donated for the first time when my college was having a blood drive. I was thrilled to donate blood. I really felt like a hero & was really glad I did. The blood we donate goes to saving lives. In the event that our blood isn’t used, it goes to labs for research. I always suggest my friends & relatives to give blood and don’t just give once, give multiple times.
Anxiety and fears are normal. Many people are afraid of donating blood. Most of my friends during college days were afraid to donate blood & many other friends use to make false excuses.
Finding excuses not to donate blood is easy, until it is you or someone you care for who is bleeding to death and in urgent need of a blood transfusion.
Blood is a very important component of modern medicine. It cannot be created synthetically, so it must be collected from volunteer donors. Many people are afraid to donate for many reasons.
It is well known that in the corner of every human heart there is a desire to do good to others without causing any harm to oneself and be remembered for the service, therefore, donors and non-donors should be handled keeping in mind the eternal human psychology.
Fortunately, some people care enough not to make excuses. They become donors, regularly giving up their time and their blood to help save the lives of people they will never meet.
Blood donation benefits many people.
Nobody denies the fact that blood is an important and worthwhile fluid for living a healthy life. So it becomes pertinent to know about the different uses of donated blood in medical field.
One pint of blood benefits donors in the following ways:
Each pint of whole blood donated by one person helps three other people.
One pint of blood may be separate into its various components such as plasma, red blood cells and others. If one pint of blood is used as components, it can help seven people.
Blood donation benefits surgical patients. A liver transplant patient, for example, may need up to ten pints of blood during surgery. Blood transfusions are needed during many types of surgery and for accident victims.
People undergoing chemotherapy and radiation benefit from blood donation.
Individuals with sickle-cell anemia need blood donations to replace their red blood cells.
Donated blood saves the lives of premature infants and children. Many of these tiny patients require blood transfusions, and only blood from a donor can help them.
Health Benefits to Donors :
Mostly people project blood donation as a charity work, but I don’t think many people know how it can be good for the donor.
According to Dr Kristie Leong Donating blood may not only benefit the person who received the blood cells but may also improve the health of the donor. Studies have shown that, in general,
Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men.
Blood donation stimulates the generation of red blood cells
The amount of toxic chemicals (e.g. mercury, pesticides, fire retardants) circulating the blood stream is reduced by the amount contained in given blood.
Some doctors and scientists believe that giving blood may prevent heart disease. Although no conclusive evidence is available, numerous physicians have noted that blood donors typically have fewer cases of heart disease than non-donors. Dr. Harvey Klein, in an article on USA Today, speculates that giving blood regularly reduces the amount of iron in the bloodstream. While iron is an important element and necessary for human life, too much iron may actually damage the heart and circulatory system. Dr. Klein and others believe that reducing blood iron through regular blood donation is a healthy way to potentially lower your risk of heart disease.
Free health screening, Every time you give blood, a medical technician, doctor or nurse will check your blood pressure and give you a free health screening.
While the most obvious health benefit of donating blood is the wonderful feeling derived from giving something vital to someone who needs it, the benefits of donating blood may extend far beyond this to having a positive impact on the donor’s health.
There’s no substitute for blood donation and giving blood regularly saves lives. Blood donation is a noble, selfless service! It gives the donor a feeling of joy and contentment. Also this is an expression of love for Mankind, as blood knows no caste, colour, creed, religion or race, country, continent or sex.
Only 5% of the population donates blood. If only 10% of the population would donate, it would very possibly eliminate all blood shortages.
Donating blood doesn’t kill one but goes on to save somebody’s life....
The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.