Donating blood is not only a selfless act but also helps in improving the health of the donor, experts said on World Blood Donation Day. Regular blood donation can help detect certain health conditions like anaemia or infectious diseases, leading to early detection. Donating blood is also linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancers, and helps maintain healthy iron levels in the body. The World Blood Donation Day is celebrated around the world on June 14 to raise global awareness of the need for safe blood, and to express gratitude to blood donors for their voluntary life-saving gift. Healthy adults aged 18 years and above can donate blood every three months.
Dr Rajiv Tomer, Blood Bank, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, said, Blood donation has numerous health benefits for the donor. It reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers the risk of cancer, improves blood flow, leads to early detection of disease through health screening before donating blood, enhances psychological well-being, regulates iron levels in the body, and monitors your general health status,.
India urgently needs donors, with over 12,000 people dying every day in the country due to the non-availability of safe blood. Moreover, many who require transfusions do not have timely access to safe blood. With India poised to become the most populous country in the world, access to safe blood is critical.
The theme of this year’s World Blood Donation Day is ‘Give Blood, Give Plasma, Share Life, Share Often’. The theme holds tremendous relevance, especially for patients requiring life-long transfusion support. A single person’s blood donation can make a big difference in the lives of those battling conditions like thalassemia, sickle cell disease, or certain types of cancer that depend on regular blood transfusions to sustain their health.
Dr. Kalpana Velaska, Senior Consultant & Head Transfusion Medicine, NH SRCC Children’s Hospital, said, By donating blood and blood products, we offer these patients a lifeline, replenishing their depleted supply of red blood cells, platelets, granulocytes, stem cells, coagulation factors, etc. Moreover, plasma donations are crucial for patients who require specialised treatments like immunoglobulin therapies.
The experts emphasized the importance of safe blood transfusion practices and embracing screening technologies like Nucleic acid testing (NAT) testing for the safety and integrity of the blood supply. Dr Seema Sinha, HOD – Transfusion Medicine, Fortis Hospital Noida, said, It is crucial to safeguard the health of those who depend on transfusions and medical treatments. Prioritising the mandatory implementation of such screening technologies, proper storage and transportation conditions are paramount in safeguarding the purity and safety of donated blood. Decision-makers can foster a resilient healthcare system for generations to come by doing this.
