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Blood donation is the voluntary collection of blood from a person and transfusion into biopharmaceutical medications. Donations may be of whole blood or some specific components. The collection process and following procedures are covered by blood banks and the banks receive blood from voluntary donors who may be paid or unpaid.
The World Blood Donor Day is a yearly event set apart for the appreciation and acknowledgement of blood donors around the world, and to encourage blood donation alongside new doors so as to display how this harmless experience saves and changes lives. The slogan for the day is ‘Share Life, Give Blood’ to portray care and empathy for others.
Everyone benefits with blood donation, as not only the recipient benefits directly but numerous physical and emotional health benefits exist for blood donors themselves, which include;
- Stress reduction
- Lower risk of heart disease
- Free health checkup
- May provide sense of belonging and reduce isolation.
Why are blood donations done and encouraged?
This is done so that the blood can be given to someone who needs a blood transfusion. Numbers of individuals running into millions need transfusions every year. While some may need it during surgery, others depend on it after an accident or to treat a critical illness that requires blood components. Blood donation solves all this as there is no alternative for human blood.
However, before you donate blood, some necessary measures have to be taken, such as;
- A healthy meal must be taken before donation
- Drink an extra amount of water of about 16 ounces and other fluids before donation
- Ensure to get enough sleep the night before the set day of donation
- Avoid pain relievers like aspirin for at least two days prior to donation
- Fatty foods should be avoided several hours before donating blood as they may be detected during tests for infections.
The entire procedure lasts for about 10 minutes in which a pint is filled up. A new, sterile needle is inserted into a vein in your arm after the skin has been cleaned. Blood is collected in tubes to allow for testing before proceeding to fill a pint. Your fist is tightened to assist blood flow from the vein. After completion, the needle is removed, a small bandage is placed on where the needle was and a dressing is wrapped around your arm.
After the procedure, you are to be placed in an observation area, fed a light snack and allowed to rest. After about 15 minutes, you can leave. Although, the following pointers are to be highlighted;
- Consume extra liquids for the following two days
- Strenuous physical activity and high energy activities – e.g. exercises – should be avoided for the next five hours.
- Once lightheadedness is felt, proceed to lie down with your feet facing up till it passes.
- Keep the bandage on your arm for about five hours.
- Signs of bleeding after removing the bandaged can be handled by putting pressure on the spot and raising the arm until the bleeding stops.
Blood donation is an active part of the lives of many individuals and it can be yours too. Kindly contact the blood donor center or doctor if you forget any important health information before you donated or if problems developed after giving blood.
- Chima Ordu – Admin & Business Development Intern at Redcare HMO
