Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.
Many people are afraid to donate blood because of lack of education regarding blood donation and also because of certain superstitious beliefs.
This post will attempt to answer a few common questions people have regarding blood donation.
Why should I donate blood?
There is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use. Regular blood donations by a sufficient number of healthy people are needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed.
Transfusion of blood and blood products helps save millions of lives every year. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life. It is also needed for complex medical and surgical procedures. It also has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care and during the emergency response to man-made and natural disasters.
It is also needed for regular transfusions for people with conditions such as thalassaemia and sickle cell disease and is used to make products such as clotting factors for people with haemophilia.
Who is eligible to give blood?
Most people are eligible to give blood.
You can donate if you are:
- fit and healthy
- weight more than 50kg
- are aged between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have given blood before)
- are over 70 and have given blood in the last two years
People with viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B and other blood borne infections are not eligible to donate blood.
Why do people sometimes faint after giving blood
Blood is an important body fluid which is responsible for carrying oxygen and other nutrients around the body. For some people when they haven’t had a meal before going for a blood donation or haven’t had adequate rest they may feel faint after donating but this can easily be remedied by giving them a sweet drink and something to eat.
Before donating blood, please eat regular meals, drink plenty of fluid (non-alcoholic) and avoid vigorous exercise or exertion.
Also ideally just before donating a test is done to check the donors blood level to make sure it is adequate. If the donors blood level is not adequate they are advised not to donate and come back at another time.
Women are also not advised to donate blood while on their period because they are already losing blood.
Can i donate blood if i have a Health condition
- If your condition is being well controlled through a combination of diet and oral medication, then you may well be able to donate blood.
- But if your condition is not well controlled, For instance, if your diabetes has resulted in eye, blood vessel or kidney problems then you are not advised to donate blood.
- You must be completely healed from any infection for at least 14 days before you can donate.
- If you have a cold or are feeling unwell, it is best to wait until you feel better before donating blood.
- If you have had antibiotics, you may need to wait a period of time before you can give blood.
How often can I give blood?
Men can give blood every 12 weeks, while women can donate every 16 weeks.
This is because it takes several weeks for all the red blood cells to be replaced in the body.
How much blood is collected during a donation?
When you go to donate blood, just under a pint – around 470ml – will be taken at a time.
Your body will replace any lost fluid in a short period of time.
Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person. It is literally the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma — which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.
Many government hospitals in Nigeria offer blood donation services so don’t hesitate to walk into one and enquire about donating blood.
