Blood donation: Rules, advantages, importance, facts and risks

• First, of course, your name is registered as an eligible donor and you are informed about everything related to blood transfusion. You are then required to fill a basic form.
• Following this, basic tests are performed along with taking your health and medical history, measuring body weight and checking for blood type, haemoglobin levels to confirm eligibility.
• After determining that you are eligible for a donation, blood will be drawn from your veins with the help of a sterile needle, which is inserted on either of the arms in case of whole blood donation or both the arms in case of other types of donation like plasma or platelet.
• The procedure for whole blood donation is quite brief and will take a maximum of 8 to 10 minutes. So, the level of discomfort will be minimum.
• About a pint of blood is collected and kept under cold temperature while your injection site is managed with the help of bandage and antiseptic.
• After this procedure, you will be provided with a free refreshment in the form of a delectable snack and a refreshing drink. This will help you ease off the pain or any feeling of weakness following blood withdrawal.
• After 10-15 minutes, you may leave the refreshment area and continue with your daily activity without a worry of weakness or dizziness.

While you reach home and spend a relaxed week, your blood has been sent to a laboratory and is undergoing a number of tests to rule out infections and to determine the plausibility of your blood for the donor. In case you have an infection, the blood is discarded off and you are duly notified.

Although it is said that everyone can donate blood, there sure are certain requirements to ensure the safety of volunteers. Following is the eligibility for blood donation, which will help you decide whether or not you can be a donor:

• Weight- The donor must not be underweight and must at least have a weight above 45 kilograms.
• Adult- Only those above 18 years of age and below 65 are eligible for blood donation.
• Cardiac health- Your blood pressure and pulse must be normal at the time of donation and maintained otherwise. You must not have any underlying cardiac disorder or any surgeries.
• Fever and infections- There must be no hint of these at the time of donation.
• Pregnancy- at least a year must have passed since childbirth and you must not be lactating at the time of donation.
• Haemoglobin- defining the most important criteria, your haemoglobin must be no less than 12.5 g/dl.
• No recent surgery, illness, infection, vaccination, immunisation, skin scars or tattoos for at least a year.
• Your medication and drug history also define your eligibility, which will be checked for by the doctor at the centre of donation.

These requirements have been set out by NACO and the Government of India.

The blood you give is not immediately transferred but is sent across a number of screening tests.

• First blood bank in India was established in Kolkata in the year 1945 and voluntary donation began in 1954 to save lives.
• Voluntary donors are not given anything in cash or kind, yet, continue to be the safest donors driven by the desire to help others in need. They are often the first line donors and are helping to save the lives of millions.
• Professional or paid donors are also present, who are contacted by blood bank in case of emergency needs. Other than this, there are family donors who donate blood in return for their relative’s need met from the blood bank.
• Even blood from family donors is not administered directly and has to undergo the same screening tests.
• You can donate whole blood, platelets, plasma or red cells depending on your blood type. These are helpful for different patients with varying needs.
• Whole blood donation is most likely to be helpful for trauma patients and those undergoing a surgery and thus is lifesaving.
• Trauma and accident cases, cancer patients, patients with an organ transplant, patients undergoing a recent surgery, patients with blood disorders and premature babies require a blood transfusion.
• Giving blood periodically gives you a chance to save multiple lives.
• Blood banks cannot save lives in absence of donors. This is because blood and platelets cannot be synthesised but only be collected from donors.
• Less than 38% of the population is eligible to donate blood. So, if you are eligible, do not waste your chance of serving humanity at the best.
• Blood donation is not just beneficial for those in need but also has health benefits, which will be discussed ahead.
• It is not true that you can give blood just once a year. Your body will replenish its stores within 24 to 48 hours. So, it is safe to donate blood every 12 weeks.
• Millions of people donate blood each year and are enjoying excellent health in the absence of any associated complications.
• If you do not feel well at the time of donation, your donation is cancelled. So, you need not be scared about registering yourself, it is not an obligation to donate blood when you are not in the correct state for donation.