Today happens to be World Blood Donor Day and if you’ve ever been close to death, be it after an accident or an illness, you know the importance of blood. It saves your life, literally. So most people who have been operated on, promise themselves one thing: to donate blood as soon as possible and save the life of another. Well, here are a few facts about why, when and how much blood you should donate. Also, read about the benefits of donating blood.
Why?
There’s always need for blood at blood banks. “Even small accidents and burns cause blood loss. Many patients are in need of blood and getting it on short notice is a big problem,” says Dr Ashraf Hussain, a general practitioner.
According to Dr Sumiti Dhingra, a general practitioner, blood is not always used with all its components. “When you donate blood, it’s split up into red blood corpuscles, white blood corpuscles and plasma. Burn victims need plasma, those suffering from diseases may need both RBCs and WBCs, while an accident victim will need blood as a whole,” she explains.
How much?
According to Dr Dhingra, a doctor will not take more than 500 ml of blood at one go.
When?
If you have been seriously ill in the past six months, you are advised against donation. “You cannot donate blood if you have had fever within the last 15 days. You have to be over 45 kgs and between the ages of 18 and 60 years. You shouldn’t have your periods at the time. Your haemoglobin count should be a minimum of 13 mg,” says Dr Dhingra.
According to Dr Hussain, you can donate blood every three months. The body replenishes this in 24 hours. Just make sure you take it easy for the 24 hours after you have donated blood.
Benefits
It makes your body stronger. “Donating blood makes the heart stronger as it has to pump more blood during the time it is being replenished. Your immunity also improves as new WBCs have to be produced,” explains Dr Hussain.
Donate blood as and when possible. The blood bank needs varied blood groups regularly. It is safe to donate blood at any public hospital.
Why?
There’s always need for blood at blood banks. “Even small accidents and burns cause blood loss. Many patients are in need of blood and getting it on short notice is a big problem,” says Dr Ashraf Hussain, a general practitioner.
According to Dr Sumiti Dhingra, a general practitioner, blood is not always used with all its components. “When you donate blood, it’s split up into red blood corpuscles, white blood corpuscles and plasma. Burn victims need plasma, those suffering from diseases may need both RBCs and WBCs, while an accident victim will need blood as a whole,” she explains.
How much?
According to Dr Dhingra, a doctor will not take more than 500 ml of blood at one go.
When?
If you have been seriously ill in the past six months, you are advised against donation. “You cannot donate blood if you have had fever within the last 15 days. You have to be over 45 kgs and between the ages of 18 and 60 years. You shouldn’t have your periods at the time. Your haemoglobin count should be a minimum of 13 mg,” says Dr Dhingra.
According to Dr Hussain, you can donate blood every three months. The body replenishes this in 24 hours. Just make sure you take it easy for the 24 hours after you have donated blood.
Benefits
It makes your body stronger. “Donating blood makes the heart stronger as it has to pump more blood during the time it is being replenished. Your immunity also improves as new WBCs have to be produced,” explains Dr Hussain.
Donate blood as and when possible. The blood bank needs varied blood groups regularly. It is safe to donate blood at any public hospital.
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