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Blood Donation Day: Youths need to be the hero

On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day (June 14), there is an urgent need to create awareness especially among youth on Blood Donation as this noble act can help those suffering from life-threatening conditions

As blood performs vital functions to keep the human body normal and healthy, it is the lifeline. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 and its subsequent waves, every city and town in India witnessed a shortage of blood as blood donation camps or drives were affected due to lockdown and curfews. Health institutions postponed planned surgeries due to a shortage of blood supplies. Many lives were at stake. Apart from those who needed plasma therapy for COVID-19 treatment, critical patients of other chronic illnesses like kidney dialysis, cancer and thalassemia were facing the brunt of the blood shortage. Hence, for efficient population health management, there is an urgent need to create awareness, especially among the youth, on blood donation as this noble act can make them the real hero. What could be more satisfying than saving lives? One donation can save the lives of three people.

On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day (June 14), doctors and volunteers, narrate and share their views and experience to create awareness about the importance and benefits of blood donations. According to them, people need to be made aware of the fact that donating blood will help someone who is suffering from life-threatening conditions or needs support through complex medical and surgical procedures.

“It is estimated that if one per cent of the population donates blood voluntarily even once a year, all blood requirements can be fulfilled. Blood donation brings relief to a large number of patients who are suffering from various medical conditions, and require transfusion of blood. We need to inspire youth by making them aware of its benefits and busting myths that restrict them to donate,” says Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj.

Young plasma donor, Rajesh Kumar, 25, was inspired by his uncle, who was infected with COVID-19 and after some time, he donated plasma to save the life of a neighbour- a victim of second wave of COVID-19 in Delhi. Now, he has taken a pledge to donate blood regularly. He had donated blood once during the dengue outbreak in the city a few years back.

Myths of Blood Donation

If your blood can save someone’s life then you must go ahead and donate and have the privilege to be associated with them as every blood donor is essentially a lifesaver. Donating blood is a noble cause and very few of us take initiative to create awareness about blood donation and donate blood. If you want to donate blood and save a life but have many doubts relating to blood donation which bound you to do the same.

Dr Alexander Thomas, President AHPI, clears some myths related to blood donation. He says, “ It is a myth that donating blood makes your body feel weak. The truth is that the donor recovers and can get back to work immediately. A healthy donor can donate blood again after a three-month interval. Donate blood and save lives - especially during this Covid pandemic time.”

Donating blood is not painful at all and does not weaken the donor. “It is again a myth that it will make your body weak. It is good to donate blood and a healthy person can donate blood four times a year with a minimum three months’ gap between each blood donation,” he adds.

Importance & Benefits

Blood donation is not only beneficial for the receiver’s life but also helps the donor to maintain good health. It helps in reducing the risk of hemochromatosis among various others risks. Through the act of donating blood, the iron deposition in the body is maintained at healthy levels. The risk of getting cancer reduces with the reduction in the iron level in the body. Iron overload in the body can result in heart and liver ailments. Blood donation is beneficial in reducing that risk. Regular blood donation also stimulates blood cell production. It improves blood flow, burns calories, and also reduced stress.

According to Dr Rajendra Patankar, CEO, Jupiter Hospital, blood donation is a life-saving act. "In our country, in every third second, someone needs blood. We need to make people especially youth aware of its benefits. We have seen people in great trouble while looking for blood amid the COVID-19 crisis. On social media platforms, there were a large number of requests or SOS for plasma donation. Even if the COVID-19 treatment protocols now undermine the role of plasma therapy for the disease but other serious health conditions, there is always a huge requirement at blood banks. We need to encourage people to voluntarily come forward for blood donation.,” added Dr Patankar.

India is a nation with 1.4 billion people. It is estimated that even if one per cent of the population donates blood voluntarily even once a year, all blood requirements can be fulfilled. It is time to take a pledge, especially for youth, to become the hero by donating blood to save lives.

Source : DNA India

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