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A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusion and/or made into biopharmaceutical medication through a process called fractionation (separation of whole-blood components).
Blood Facts
- Blood is the life-maintaining fluid that circulates through the body’s heart, arteries, veins and capillaries
- Blood supplies the body with nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat and oxygen
- There is no substitute for human blood
- Blood fights against infection and helps heal wounds
- Red blood cells live about 120 days in our bodies
- Donating blood will not decrease your strength
- Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and weighs at least 50kg may donate blood every 56 days
- Blood centers often run short of type O and B blood.
Benefits
- In patients prone to iron overload, blood donation prevents the accumulation of toxic quantities
- Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men
- A single blood donation can save up to three lives
- Donating blood may not only benefit the person who received the blood cells but also improve the health of the donor
- Blood donation also burns extra calories and reduces your cholesterol level
- Following blood donation, your blood cell count decreases, and this in turn stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in order to replenish the loss. Hence, blood donation stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system.
MYTHS/MISCONCEPTION
Myth: People who donate blood can pass out from blood loss
Fact: Most blood donors feel fine soon after the donation exericse. While it is true that some donors tend to feel faint during or after donation, this is not a result of blood loss. A single whole-blood donation amounts to about 1 pint — less than 1/10 of what the average adult body contains. Reactions can be heightened, however, if you do not eat an adequate meal or hydrate well beforehand, keep that in mind.
Myth: Giving blood hurts.
Fact: The pain experienced is no more than a needle prick. The slight soreness at the site of the needle puncture is a reminder of the good deed done.
Myth: HIV or other infections can be contracted from donating blood.
Fact: A clear procedure exists for taking blood from each donor. Sterility is maintained at all steps. A new and sterile needle is used for each donation, then properly discarded. Use of sterile equipment and technique limits the chance of infection.
Myth: Health deteriorates after donating blood.
Fact: If you are healthy prior to donation, your recovery is complete in a day or two. It is advisable to rest a while after donating. Drinking enough liquids replaces the lost fluid within a couple of hours. The body produces new cells faster after a donation. All the RBCs are replaced within 3 – 4 days and WBCs within 3 weeks.
Myth: There is limited blood in the body and it is unhealthy to give some away.
Fact: Only about 350 – 450ml of blood is taken during a donation session. There is enough blood in the body to donate it without any ill effects. The body makes new blood after donation.
Myth: Donating blood frequently can fluctuate my blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Fact: No, the blood pressure and blood sugar levels do not fluctuate, provided the pre-donation values are within normal limits. A diabetic patient on insulin cannot donate blood.
- Funmilola Kolawole M.D.
