Blood can not be manufactured: it can only comes as a gift from a person. We can donate blood four times in a year. One thoughtful move from us can save a life.

Eligible blood donors:-

1. One should be above 18 years of age.
2. You should not be underweight (At least 50 kg).
3. Pregnant women are not allowed to donate blood.
4. You should not take any drugs/medicines.
5. You should not be suffering from any infectious or chronic diseases such as diabetes or flu.
6. Your blood pressure should be normal.

There is a need to encourage regular blood donation among friends and family members. If all eligible donors donate on a regular basis, blood needs would be met and shortages could be a thing of the past.

Facts about blood donation

1. It is a completely safe process. A sterile disposable blood collection bag is used only once for each donation.
2. An adult person’s body has about 4 to 6 liters of blood depending on size. Four components can be derived form blood – RBC, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate .
3. The volume of blood donated gets replenished within 24-48 hours.
4. It also helps burn the extra calories and reduces your cholesterol levels. It stimulates the production of new blood cells.
5. It is an excellent way to get rid of excess iron, which can stimulate the formation of free radicals which cause damage to cells and tissues.
6. Donating blood can be beneficial for the heart and circulatory system. It can reduce the risk of heart disease, especially among young people.

Some Points to Remember :-

1. Do not consume alcohol for 48 hours before donation.
2. In rare cases, when bleeding occurs after removing the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm for 3-5 minutes

Dr. Sharda Jain

Dr. Jyoti Aggarwal

Dr. Rashmi Jain