Make life saving a habit

Blood is life and there is no other substitute for human blood as it can neither be manufactured nor replaced by animal blood. Since blood cannot be stored for long periods of time and there is a continuous demand for it, it can be donated regularly.

Various conditions, such as accidents, child birth, surgery or severe illness can also deplete the amount of blood in a person. Certain diseases like Thalassemia need continuous blood transfusion.  These shortages need to be supplemented through blood transfusion.

Along with the rewarding feeling that comes with donating blood, many people are anxious or nervous about donating.

The number one excuse given for not donating blood is fear. Feeling scared is normal, but many donors will assure you that it’s a simple process that is endlessly rewarding.

To be Eligible to give Blood:

1. You must be a healthy individual over the age of 18 with standard weight.
2. The interval between donations should be minimum of 3 months.
3. A person should not donate blood if he has a chronic disease like diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, cancer, blood disease etc. or any other acute condition like flu, infection, fever, diarrhea etc.

Tips for a Pleasant Donation Experience:

There are some things you can do to ensure your donation experience is as pleasant as possible, before, during and after giving blood.

1. Get a good night’s sleep before donating and eat a good breakfast or lunch.
2. Drink extra water to help replace the fluid volume you will donate.
3. Maintain a diet with iron rich foods such as red meat, fish, poultry and fortified cereals.
4. Avoid fatty foods such as burgers and fries before donating as tests can be affected by fatty materials and may cause your sample to be discarded.
5. Do not wear tight clothes. Wear a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled above the elbow.
6. Rehydrate by drinking plenty of fluids for 24-48 hours following your donation.

There is never a bad time to donate blood.