This year theme is “Blood Connects All”. Every year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) brings a theme that follows the world blood donor day. The theme seems to raise the awareness of the need to safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donor for their voluntary life saving gift of blood.
Objectives of World Blood Donor Day
A donor is a hero
Also people do it as a humanitarian service. People donates blood when their relatives have a need for blood donations, which is called directed blood donation. That is majorly what we have in Nigeria. Unfortunately, we hardly go to blood banks.
NSSF Uganda Managing Director Richard Byarugaba donating blood |
There was a time, the federal blood transfusion board wanted to be established… therefore, each state would have blood donation agency spreading down to the local councils. And of course, the awareness would be better and more blood availability.
Misconception of Blood Donation
Blood Donation Requirements
Who Should Donate Blood
• An Adult:
• Healthy Perspective Donor:
History are taken from perspective donors, therefore, people with diseases, such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, etc. are not allowed to donate blood. Because their diseases can be transmitted through blood transfusion. Even though the HIV virus is non-detectable in you, once you have that history (HIV), you are still disqualified.
Blood analysis in a medical laboratory |
We also screen those blood collected before approval for medical use. In a nut shell, the donor is screened, the blood collected from the donor is screen and the recipient blood is also screened for HIV.
Sample blood collection tube with HIV test label on HIV infection screening test form |
Cost of Acquiring Blood
Health Benefits of Donating Blood
• Improves Heart Health:
Donating blood improves your overall cardiovascular health. Increased level of iron in the blood raises the chance of heart disease. Regularly donating blood helps males in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood.
• Enhance the Production of New Blood Cells:
When blood is withdrawn, the donor’s body immediately begins to replenish the lost blood. New cells are produced by marrow within 48 hours of donation, and all of the red blood cells the donor loses during donation are completely replaced within one to two months. Therefore, donating blood helps to stimulate the production of new blood cells. This process of replenishment can help your body stay healthy and work more efficiently.
• Burn Calories:
Donating blood on a regular basis can also improve fitness. Donating one pint of blood (450 ml) burns 650 calories in donor’s body.
• Enhance Feeling of Well-being in Elderly People:
Many elderly people who are in good health have reported feeling invigorated and reenergized by giving blood on a regular basis.
• Reduces Cancer Risk:
Give blood to help lower your risk of cancer. According to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, consistent blood donation is associated with lowered risks of cancers, including liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat cancers. Risk levels drop in correlation with how often participants donate blood.
• Free Health Screening Done:
In addition to all of these benefits, a donor receives a free prior health screening plus mini blood test. There will be an HB level test, as well as a blood pressure and body check. Blood is also tested for some major diseases and the donor is immediately informed in strict confidentiality if any of these tests show positive results.
• Save Lives:
By donating blood, many lives are saved and hope is given to many whose situation may otherwise be hopeless. Blood donors give such patients a second lease of life.
• Brings Joy to Many:
When you donate blood, you impact not only the patient whose life may depend on your donation, but also all those who depend on that patient. The entire community will benefit from the he spirit of generosity.