My
first Blood Donation – An event to remember.
Today, I donated blood at “The Blood Donation Camp” organized by Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel
Management, Sodpur in collaboration with National Medical College, Kolkata. Many
girls of my age fear or are too lazy to donate blood. My haemoglobin level
being very good as compared to other girls of my age encouraged me for the
donation. It was an awesome experience for, though I am too much afraid of
needles and syringes. But the feeling that my blood can save someone’s life
reduced all my fear and pain! At last I did something fruitful in my life.
History of blood donation
The first recorded successful human blood transfusion was
accomplished in 1818, but due to the lack of knowledge and research, it was
followed by many blood transfusion failures. Some 80 years later, it was
discovered that inherited differences in people’s red cells were the cause of
many of the incompatibilities seen with transfusions. Four blood types were
identified - A, B, AB and O. This discovery revolutionised haematology and led
the way for successful blood transfusions.
During World War I, when human blood was needed for transfusions
for wounded soldiers, scientists began to study how to preserve and transport
blood. But it was not until World War II that the development of effective
preservative solutions made blood transfusions widely and safely available.
Since then, there have been many advances, such as the discovery of the Rh
blood group system and technical developments such as the introduction of the
plastic bag for safer blood collection.
By the end of 1947, several blood banks had been established in
major cities across the United States and blood donation was promoted to the
public as a way of fulfilling one’s civic responsibility.
Freezing of red blood cells, separation of different blood
components by centrifugation, aphaeresis (extraction of one blood component and
returning the rest to the donor) and many other discoveries and advancements
make for full utilization of every donation. Each blood element can be used to
treat different diseases.
Today, in light of HIV, Hepatitis C and many other diseases, the
federal government has enforced regulations for blood screening tests in an
effort to improve blood safety and to reduce the risk from blood transfusions.
To further ensure the safety of the blood supply, the government outlawed
paying someone for his or her blood.
Human blood is precious. There is no substitute for it and there
is no way to manufacture it outside the body. Yet, millions of times each year,
human blood is required to save the lives of people suffering from disease or
who are victims of accidents.
Some Facts About Blood and
Blood Donation :
1.
Someone needs blood every two seconds.
2.
About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital
need blood.
3.
One pint of blood can save up to three
lives.
4.
Healthy adults who are at least 18
years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate about a pint of blood—the most
common form of donation—every 56 days, or every two months, depending on iron
levels. Females receive 53 percent of blood transfusions; males receive 47
percent.
5.
94 percent of blood donors are
registered voters.
6.
Four main red blood cell types: A, B,
AB and O. Each can be positive or negative for the Rh factor. AB is the
universal recipient; O negative is the universal donor of red blood cells.
7.
Dr. Karl Landsteiner first identified
the major human blood groups – A, B, AB and O – in 1901.
8.
One unit of blood can be separated into
several components: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.
9.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to the
body’s organs and tissues.
10.
Red blood cells live about 120 days in
the circulatory system.
11.
Platelets promote blood clotting and
give those with leukaemia and other cancers a chance to live.
12.
Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of
water, proteins and salts.
13.
Plasma, which is 90 percent water,
makes up 55 percent of blood volume.
14.
Healthy bone marrow makes a constant
supply of red cells, plasma and platelets.
15.
Blood or plasma that comes from people
who have been paid for it cannot be used to human transfusion.
16.
Granulocytes, a type of white blood
cell, roll along blood vessel walls in search of bacteria to engulf and
destroy.
17.
White cells are the body’s primary defence
against infection.
18.
Aphaeresis is a special kind of blood
donation that allows a donor to give specific blood components, such as
platelets.
19.
42 days: how long most donated red
blood cells can be stored.
20. Five days: how long most donated platelets can be stored.
21.
One year: how long frozen plasma can be
stored.
22.
Much of today’s medical care depends on
a steady supply of blood from healthy donors.
23.
2.7 pints: the average whole blood and
red blood cell transfusion.*
24. Children being treated for cancer, premature infants and children having
heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types, especially
type O.
25.
Anaemic patients need blood
transfusions to increase their red blood cell levels.
26. Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, and patients undergoing
open-heart surgery may require platelet transfusions to survive.
27.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited
disease that affects between 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United States, 98
percent of whom are of African descent.
28. Many patients with severe sickle cell disease receive blood transfusions
every month.
29. A patient could be forced to pass up a lifesaving organ, if compatible
blood is not available to support the transplant.
30. Thirteen tests (11 for infectious diseases) are performed on each unit
of donated blood.
31.
17 percent of non-donors cite “never
thought about it” as the main reason for not giving, while 15 percent say
they’re too busy.
32.
The #1 reason blood donors say they
give is because they “want to help others.”
33. Shortages of all blood types happen during the summer and winter
holidays.
34. Blood centres often run short of types O and B red blood cells.
35. The rarest blood type is the one not on the shelf when it’s needed by a
patient.
36. There is no substitute for human blood.
37. If all blood donors gave three times a year, blood shortages would be a
rare event (The current average is about two.).
38. 46.5 gallons: amount of blood you could donate if you begin at age 17
and donate every 56 days (depending on iron levels) until you reach 79 years
old.
39. Four easy steps to donate blood: medical history, quick physical,
donation and snacks.
40. The actual blood donation usually takes about 10 minutes. The entire
process – from the time you sign in to the time you leave – takes about an
hour.
41.
After donating blood, you replace the
fluid in hours and the red blood cells within four weeks. It takes eight weeks
to restore the iron lost after donating.
42. You cannot get AIDS or any other infectious disease by donating blood.
43. 10 pints: amount of blood in the body of an average adult.
44. One unit of whole blood is roughly the equivalent of one pint.
45. Blood makes up about 7 percent of your body’s weight.
46. A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his body.
47. Giving blood will not decrease your strength.
48. Any company, community organisation, place of worship or individual may
contact their local community blood centre to host a blood drive.
49. People who donate blood are volunteers and are not paid for their
donation.
50. Blood donation. The entire process takes about one hour and 15 minutes;
the actual donation of a pint of whole blood unit takes eight to 10 minutes.
However, the time varies slightly with each person depending on several factors
including the donor’s health history and attendance at the blood drive. It’s about
an hour of your time. It’s About Life.
