World Blood Donor Day - Donate blood save lives
Not
every day you get a chance to do something to save someone's life but that's
exactly what you do every time you donate blood. Read further to know about
blood donation.
Donating
blood is an act of great human kindness and to acknowledge this gesture World
Blood Donor Day is celebrated worldwide every year on 14th June. The event sets
out to raise awareness of the requirement for safe blood and blood products and
to show appreciation to blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
Blood
is an important resource, both for planned treatments and urgent interventions
of all kinds (accidents, natural disasters, armed conflicts, etc). Millions of
lives are saved by transfusion of blood and blood products every year. It
renders higher quality of life with increased longitivity to patients suffering
from life-threatening conditions. It ensures completion of complex medical and
surgical procedures.
It
is essential to develop a nationally coordinated blood transfusion service supported
by voluntary non-remunerated blood donations in order to ensure safe and
sufficient blood supply. However, in many countries, blood services fail to
make available sufficient blood while also ensuring its quality and safety.
2017:
Give Blood. Give Now. Give Often
The
theme for Blood Donation Day in 2017 mainly concerns emergency situations. The
demand for blood transfusion increases at the time of emergencies making it's
delivery challenging and complex. Adequate supply of blood during emergencies
can only be met with the help of maximum people showing up for blood donation.
Also, volunteers should be engaged in bood donation regularly, so that the
blood stock is sufficient before an emergency arises.
Tips
for a Successful Donation
Here
are some recommendations that you may follow before, during and after blood
donation that would help make your donation experience a safe, successful and
pleasant one.
Before
Your Donation
Eat
Healthy. Include lots of iron rich foods in your diet, such as red meat, fish,
poultry, beans, spinach, raisins, etc.
Get
a good night's sleep.
Make
sure you drink extra water or nonalcoholic fluids before the donation.
Avoid
fatty foods before donating as they can affect the tests which are being done
on your blood.
Make
sure to bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID.
During
Your Donation
Wear
comfortable clothing which won't interfere with the process of blood
collection.
Relax,
read, listen to music or talk to other donors during the donation process.
Enjoy
a snack and a drink in the refreshments area once you are done.
After
Your Donation
Drink
plenty of liquids and avoid alcohol over the next 24 hours.
Keep
the strip bandage on for the next several hours.
Clean
the area around the strip bandage with soap and water to avoid a skin rash.
Do
not lift heavy objects and avoid exercise for the rest of the day.
If
you feel dizzy or lightheaded after donation, rest until you feel better.
Message
"The
blood you donate gives someone another chance at life. One day that someone may
be a close relative, a friend, a loved one or even you. So, show up at blood
donation camps and be a proud donor", says Padma Vibhushan and Dr. B C Roy National Awardee Dr. Purshotam Lal, Chairman - Metro Group of Hospitals
"Blood cant be manufactured, it comes only from Voluntary Donors like you. Donate blood, Save a life", says Dr. Ankita Aggarwal, Consultant - Blood Bank, Metro Hospitals & Heart Institute, Noida
<< Back