World Blood Donor Day: Not just a noble cause, blood donation is ‘equivalent to one week of exercise’

This World Blood Donor Day, observed on June 14 every year, to raise global awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products, and express gratitude to voluntary, unpaid blood donors “for their life-saving gifts of blood” as per World Health Organisation, let’s understand why donating blood is more than a noble act, as part of our Know Your Body series.

How does blood donation help?

Notably, as a life-saving act, blood donation helps people injured in accidents, undergoing cancer treatment, transplant patients, or those with inherited blood disorders. “Blood donation is extremely safe and should be done on a regular basis. Be assured as new sterile equipment is used for each donor so there is no risk of infections,” said Dr Aniket Mule, consultant internal medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.

According to Dr Shivaram, studies show that donors have lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides compared to one-time donors or non-donors which protects them from heart disease.

“You can try to keep your lipid levels under check by donating platelets twice a month which also removes the plasma containing the lipids along with the platelet. This way you can help 24 patients in a year and also help yourself. You can donate whole blood till the age of 65 and single donor platelet till the age of 60,” said Dr Shivaram.

Make sure you follow certain practices for donating blood (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Dr Mule further said that those who donate blood are able to manage blood pressure, haemoglobin, and iron levels. Also, there will be a reduced risk of heart attacks, said Dr Mule.

How is blood donated?

The process of blood donation involves a health screening by tracking weight, pulse rate, blood pressure, and haemoglobin check. “Any variation in these parameters can be detected and corrected on time. On blood donation, our bone marrow replenishes our blood with newer cells making one more energetic. Hence, keep donating blood and help patients in need and have a healthy heart in the long run,” Dr Geetha N Gowdar, senior consultant and HOD, Apollo Hospitals Blood Centre, Bannerghatta, Bangalore.

Measures before and after donation

Make sure you’ve had a healthy supper and are well-rested. Water is the best fluid to consume in the 24 hours before the donation. “It is important to resupply your body with resources after giving blood. Drink a lot of liquids, particularly water, to assist and replace the volume lost during the donation process. For a few hours, desist from strenuous physical activity, and weightlifting. To boost your energy levels, eat a nutritious snack,” said Dr Sunita Kapoor, director and consultant pathologist at City X-ray and Scan Clinic.

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