Blood Donation an Overview: Fact and Process Of Blood Donation

In India, every 2 seconds there is a need of blood for patients and for this more than 38000 units of blood is needed per day. That means around 4 crore blood units per year of which only 40 lakh units are available. Why there is so much difference between the demand and supply of blood?

Is it the inability of body that makes us unfit to donate blood or people are so self centered that they don’t even want to donate blood? The truth is that anyone whether it is men or women whose hemoglobin is 12.5 and weight is 45 kilogram, not affected by malaria, typhoid or any contagious disease can donate blood in every 3 months.

Generally it is found that women’s blood count not more than 12 hemoglobin but in men it is not the problem.  Majority it is women who are more inclined towards blood donation compare to men. Blood donation not only helps others but is very fruitful for the donors health to.

Facts about Blood Donation

• Blood can not be created it can only be donated by any donor. There is no substitute of blood.
• In every 2 seconds a patient wants blood.
• Blood group O is mostly needed.
• Every year 10 lakh patient are fighting from cancer and for its chemotherapy they need blood.
• An individual met with a car accident needs up to 100 units of blood.

Process of Blood Donation

• Blood donation includes 4 stages that is registration, medical history, mini physical and donation or refreshment.
• Temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and hemoglobin is checked before donation.
• Blood donation is a secured process, One sterilized needle is used only once.
• 10-12 minutes are needed for blood donation.
• A healthy person has 10 units of blood of which he can give 1 unit at a time.

Blood group

• There are mainly 4 types of blood group A, B, AB and O.
• Only 7% people in India have blood group O negative. This group can donate blood to any group.
• 35% people have blood group O+.
• Only 0.4 % people have AB blood group, the plasma of their blood can be donated to any group.

Who can donate blood?

• Minimum age 18- 60 years, weight 45 kg and above, hemoglobin level 12.5. Free from any contagious disease.
• Do not donate if suffering from cold or cough for 1 week, a major surgery in 6 months, vaccination in 24 hours, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes etc.
• Women can not donate during pregnancy, breast feeding or in heavy menstrual flow.

So readers, do not hesitate while donating blood as the amount of blood you donate one time your body will replace the lost fluid in just 48 hours.

“The information present here is for general purpose please consult your doctor before taking any medication/therapy”