Why do we need to pay so much attention to blood donation?

The blood is required by a lot of patients, accident victims, thalassemia patients, dengue patients, etc.

The shortage of blood products has been a major public health problem in India. It has been observed that a lot of people lose their lives every day due to the lack of blood products.

All fit and healthy people who have completed 18 and below 60 years of age with a weight of more than 45 kgs can donate blood. However, regular blood donors can donate blood up to 65 years of age. Fifteen minutes of your life can add years to somebody else’s life. One unit of donated blood can be used to save three lives.

The major factors for blood shortage include lack of awareness, misconceptions regarding blood donation, fear of being poked, contracting chronic diseases, and lack of time.

This highlights the need for extensive blood donation campaigns to increase awareness amongst people, dispel common misbeliefs and motivate them towards contributing to this noble cause.

Many times people do not donate blood because they are never asked to.

There are some common myths regarding blood donation that prevent people from coming forward and donating blood regularly.

Let’s bust a few myths that hold you back from being a blood donor:

Myth: Blood donation hurts & Donating blood is painful.

Fact: Fear of needles and pain is one of the commonest reasons why people do not donate blood. The needle prick is the only pain/sensation, one feels, when donating blood which is nothing against saving three lives. The area on the arm heals within a day or two.

Myth: If you smoke or consume alcohol, you cannot be a blood donor

Fact: You can donate even if you smoke or consume alcohol occasionally. You should avoid smoking for three hours after donating blood and also stay away from alcohol for 24 hours prior to donating blood.

Myth: Donating blood makes the immune system weak

Fact: Blood Donation does not affect the immune system. The red blood cells return to normal within a few days, the white blood cells take a few weeks.

Myth: Blood donation is time-consuming

Fact: Blood donation process takes 10-12 minutes, but the entire process from filling out the registration form to taking refreshments after donation may take about 45 minutes to an hour.

Myth: Blood donors become obese

Fact: Blood donation doesn’t affect your body weight at all, it remains unchanged unless you decide to reward yourself with too much junk food post-donation and that, my friend, is your responsibility and has nothing to do with blood donation.

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

Fact:  As long as you weigh above 45 kgs, you can donate blood.

Myth: If you’re diabetic, blood donation isn’t for you

Fact:  You CAN donate blood if your diabetes is controlled by diet or oral hypoglycemic medications, where the dose has not been adjusted in the last 4 weeks. However, if you required insulin for controlling your sugar levels, you are not eligible to donate blood.

Myth: High BP patients cannot be blood donors

Fact: Individuals with systolic B.P. of 100-140 mm Hg and diastolic B.P. of 60-90 mm Hg can safely donate blood. Even, if you are hypertensive, you can donate blood if there is no change in the drug or its dosage in the last 28 days.

Myth: People with seasonal allergies don’t qualify for donating blood

Fact: Seasonal allergies do not interfere with blood donation, just like any other mild cold and cough does not affect your daily routine. So, “I have a cold,” is an absolutely lame excuse for not giving your blood to someone who needs it.

Myth: Blood donation isn’t for women

Fact: Well, Blood has nothing to do with gender. Further, the women bleed every month anyway, so they shouldn’t worry. The logical argument could be that women have a lower haemoglobin count than men due to their biological setup. Women naturally survive in lower haemoglobin levels. So, blood donation affects them the same way that it would affect a man. Thus, unless women are pregnant, lactating, anaemic, or suffering from some medical issue that lowers haemoglobin levels, they can donate blood.

Myth: A blood donor is prone to infections

Fact: A fresh needle is used for each blood donor. So, there is no chance of an infection that is usually assumed to be transmitted through needles, like HIV.

Myth: One day of rest is needed after donating blood

Fact: You can resume your daily activities almost right after donating blood. You make sure to drink enough water and juices to replenish your body fluids. Donating blood shouldn’t give you an excuse to bunk your daily chores!

Myth: Blood donation isn’t for vegetarians

Fact: It’s usually assumed that vegetarians have lesser amounts of iron in their bodies, which is directly linked to our haemoglobin. However, your choice of a vegetarian or non-vegetarian diet doesn’t decide your eligibility for blood donation. Although meat-based foods are typically higher in iron count which is responsible for the haemoglobin creation, the Indian vegetarian’s diet has a lot of sources for adequate iron such as green leafy vegetables.

Myth – People on medications cannot donate blood.

Fact: Not all medications that you take, bar you from donating blood. One should consult with the doctor to check if you are eligible for donation.

Myth – People with tattoos and piercings cannot donate blood.

Fact: As there is a risk of acquiring Hepatitis by tattooing, acupuncture or body piercing, so one is not eligible to donate blood for 12 months after tattoos and piercings.

Myth – There are enough donors and I can always buy blood and blood products.

Fact: There will never be enough donors. To meet theever-expanding need for blood, blood donation is always required and the voluntary blood donation is the best & safest.

Myth – I can only donate once a year.

Fact: Blood can be donated every three months by males and every four months by females. That means, 3 to 4 donations a year can be made, if you are healthy.

Myth – Patients with thyroid disorder cannot donate blood.

Fact: People with benign thyroid disorder with normal blood thyroid hormone levels can donate blood. An individual is deferred if under evaluation for a thyroid disorder or if thyroid hormone levels are abnormal.

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on June 14 to thank blood donors who save lives every day. It also encourages people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily. It is one of the eight global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).

October 1, on the other hand, is celebrated as the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day in India to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation. It was started in 1975 through the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology.