FOCUS : Why you should donate blood

Just imagine someone who is lying on the hospital bed relying on your blood for survival. Imagine someone losing his/her life because his fellow country men fear donating blood. Blood, in human beings is very vital and a reason why people donate blood is for others who need it to survive. Many people consider it a right to receive blood when needed, but their selfish self does not often consider the responsibility of giving blood to maintain the community supply for others It is common knowledge that an adult human has about 4 to 6 litres of blood circulating in the body. Among other things, we also know that blood transports oxygen to various parts of the body. We all have different blood groups and this is determined by what you have inherited from your parents. There are four blood group types; A, B, AB and O. Blood transfusion is as easy as the transfer of blood from one person to another whereby the donated blood must match the recipient’s blood type, or complications will occur. Type O negative blood is called the “universal blood type” because it can be transfused to people of all blood types. So it is our duty to know our blood group and know who we can donate to. Some people worry about getting sic or getting contaminated in the whole process of blood transfusion and hence many of us fear donating blood. Many myths are associated by donating and receiving blood including the contraction of HIV/AIDS. But contrary to the belief, when all the needles used are sterile and disposed after use and the patient is screened, then there is no way contamination can take place. According to the National Centre for blood Transfusion, every single donation is tested for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, syphilis and several other diseases that can be transmitted through blood. Donating blood not only benefits the recipient but also the donor. Obviously the wonderful feeling derived from giving something vital to someone who needs it, the benefits of donating blood may extend far beyond this to having a positive impact on the donor’s health. The greatest challenge is overcoming the widespread fear that donating blood is harmful to one’s health. Some people who know they may need blood during surgery donate their own ahead of time. That is the safest type of transfusion. So, go ahead, make that vital donation. karuthum@gmail.com