World Blood Donor Day – Donate blood to save lives

By Dr. (Prof.) Purshotam Lal in

Jun 14, 2017

Not every day you get a chance to do something to save someone’s life but that’s exactly what you do every time you donate blood. Read further to know about blood donation.

Donating blood is an act of great human kindness and to acknowledge this gesture World Blood Donor Day is celebrated worldwide every year on 14th June. The event sets out to raise awareness of the requirement for safe blood and blood products and to show appreciation to blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

Blood is an important resource, both for planned treatments and urgent interventions of all kinds (accidents, natural disasters, armed conflicts, etc). Millions of lives are saved by transfusion of blood and blood products every year. It renders higher quality of life with increased longitivity to patients suffering from life-threatening conditions. It ensures completion of complex medical and surgical procedures.

It is essential to develop a nationally coordinated blood transfusion service supported by voluntary non-remunerated blood donations in order to ensure safe and sufficient blood supply. However, in many countries, blood services fail to make available sufficient blood while also ensuring its quality and safety.

2017: Give Blood. Give Now. Give Often

The theme for Blood Donation Day in 2017 mainly concerns emergency situations. The demand for blood transfusion increases at the time of emergencies making it’s delivery challenging and complex. Adequate supply of blood during emergencies can only be met with the help of maximum people showing up for blood donation. Also, volunteers should be engaged in bood donation regularly, so that the blood stock is sufficient before an emergency arises.

Tips for a Successful Donation

Here are some recommendations that you may follow before, during and after blood donation that would help make your donation experience a safe, successful and pleasant one.

Before Your Donation

• Eat Healthy. Include lots of iron rich foods in your diet, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, raisins, etc.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Make sure you drink extra water or nonalcoholic fluids before the donation.
• Avoid fatty foods before donating as they can affect the tests which are being done on your blood.
• Make sure to bring your donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of ID.
• During Your Donation
• Wear comfortable clothing which won’t interfere with the process of blood collection.
• Relax, read, listen to music or talk to other donors during the donation process.
• Enjoy a snack and a drink in the refreshments area once you are done.
• After Your Donation
• Drink plenty of liquids and avoid alcohol over the next 24 hours.
• Keep the strip bandage on for the next several hours.
• Clean the area around the strip bandage with soap and water to avoid a skin rash.
• Do not lift heavy objects and avoid exercise for the rest of the day.
• If you feel dizzy or lightheaded after donation, rest until you feel better.

Message

“The blood you donate gives someone another chance at life. One day that someone may be a close relative, a friend, a loved one or even you. So, show up at blood donation camps and be a proud donor”, says Padma Vibhushan and Dr. B C Roy National Awardee Dr. Purshotam Lal, Chairman – Metro Group of Hospitals

“Blood cant be manufactured, it comes only from Voluntary Donors like you. Donate blood, Save a life”, says Dr. Ankita Aggarwal, Consultant – Blood Bank, Metro Hospitals & Heart Institute, Noida