Blood Donation : RAKTDAAN MAHADAAN

Donating blood is like gifting a new life. Blood donation is a very greathearted act, as losing just a pint of blood would make no difference to a healthy individual, while a needy patient may get a new life. But this noble act is also being misused by some parts of the society.

There are several advantages of blood donation:

1. It gives you a free mini physical examination.

Before donating blood, your hemoglobin level will be tested. If it is low, then you will not be allowed to donate blood. Besides hemoglobin, your blood pressure level and body weight will also be checked. In addition, your blood will also be examined for detecting the presence of five diseases, namely, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS and malaria. If you are not suffering from these diseases, only then you will be allowed to donate your blood.

2. Chances of heart disease and strokes are about 30% lesser in men who donate blood regularly.

3. Reduces blood pressure.

4. Iron overloading is also thought to increase the risk of heart diseases. Besides, iron oxidizes cholesterol, which is harmful for the arteries.

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease characterized by excess accumulation of iron in the tissues due to improper metabolism. The disease can cause damage to many organs like pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. It may also cause diabetes, liver diseases and heart diseases. So, donating blood on a regular basis would help you to regulate the level of iron in your body. Studies have shown that donating blood regularly can be beneficial for the heart and circulatory system and can reduce the risk of heart diseases, especially among young people.

5. Production of new red blood cells enhanced. Bone marrow is activated.

6. Burns calories: one unit of blood donation causes burning of about 650 calories.

7. Feeling of Euphoria - well being.

8. Reduces Risk of Cancer.

9. A unit of blood donated by you can benefit three persons. Blood can be separated into RBC, PLASMA and PLATELETS. All of them are life saving.

Blood donation is not only an act of humanity but also of communal harmony. There have been many cases wherein people of different religions have donated blood for total strangers only as a noble act of humanity which breeds communal harmony. This act itself talks about humanity as strangers donate blood not knowing who would be its recipient. One should be aware that one unit of blood can save four lives and it is better to shed such narrow and racist thoughts of donating blood only to people of one community.

That is why “Blood Donation is also called RAKTDAAN MAHADAAN”