World Blood Donor Day 2022: Every year countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on June 14. The events serve to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. The global theme of World Blood Donor Day changes each year in recognition of selfless individuals who donate their blood to people unknown to them.
This year the theme is:- "Donating blood is an act of solidarity join the efforts and save lives"
Common myths around blood donation:-
1. Donating blood can make your sick:-
Anyone who is healthy before donating blood does not become less healthy afterwards. Although Doctors recommended that people rest for a day and drink fluids after donating, the health of these individuals is not in jeopardy.
Within an estimated 48hrs of donating an individual’s blood, the blood volume returns to normal within 4-8 weeks and the body replaces all of the lost red blood cells.
2. Older adults cannot give blood:-
This is not true. In Indian people, who are older than 18 years can give blood. The upper age limit is 65 years.
3. Giving blood is time-consuming:-
Although registration and processing can take a varying amount of time, the procedure is donating blood only take about 8-10 minutes.
4. One might contract an infection if he/she donates blood:-
No, there is no risk of catching an infection when donating blood.
5. Donation blood is painful:-
Again this is a partial myth, as there is some pain the needle goes in, but it is relatively mild short-lived once the needle is in position, the donor should remain comfortable throughout.
6. You can only give blood once each year:-
This is not true once blood cells have replenished, it is safe to donate blood again after 3 months.
7. You cannot donate blood if you have high blood pressure:-
This is not always true, as long as someone has systolic blood pressure lower than 160mmHg and diastolic lower than 100mmHg they can donate blood.
8. You cannot donate blood if you have high cholesterol:-
This is untrue- neither high blood cholesterol levels nor cholesterol-lowering drugs disqualify someone from donating blood.
9. Enough people already donate blood:-
Sadly, this is not true. As blood has a limited self-life, maintaining adequate supplies is an ongoing challenge donating blood cells must be used within 42 days and donated platelets must be used within 5 days because of this, donated blood needs to be replenished constantly, and we are always looking for more volunteers to donate blood.
(This article is attributed to Dr Shoma Jain, Head Blood Centre, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad)
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not reflect the views of India TV)
