World blood donor day is celebrated globally on the 14th of June, and this initiative was first introduced in 2005 by World Health Organization, the need to celebrate blood donors and encourage blood donation is underemphasized globally as a donor is a life giver which one donation can save a thousand.
Blood donors are the reason some of us are breathing today and as such the need to be celebrated and the act to be encouraged.
- WHO IS A BLOOD DONOR?
A donor is one who voluntarily has blood drawn for transfusion and or made into biopharmaceutical medications to administer to patients.
- BENEFITS OF BLOOD DONATION
Overtime there has been so many misconceptions about blood donation, some would say it reduces your life span, its unhealthy, its unsafe, its dangerous, especially in this part of the world.
Rather, there are several benefits in blood donation which supersedes the mythical believes stated above.
Blood donation helps individual mental health in the sense that you see yourself as a major contributor to the society and of great value, such persons are greatly appreciated by the patient, the health workers and the donor finds peace within his or herself for saving a life, and a lower risk of depression and better health life.
Regular blood donation helps regulate the level of iron and also sensitize the blood marrow, regular donors are also given special cards for honor and in some countries donors are placed on free medical treatment when necessary.
Regular blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk for heart attacks. “It definitely helps to reduce cardiovascular risk factors,” - Dr. DeSimone.
Blood donation is safe, you can choose the quantity you want to donate. it takes less than an hour to donate blood depending on the quantity. Save a life today!
- WHO NEEDS BLOOD?
Cancer Patients (leukemia)
Accident victims
New Mothers
Babies
Orphans
War Victims (Ukraine and Russia)
Donate blood today it doesn't have to be your relative always
It is not possible to buy someone's life with money, but you can save someone's life by donating blood to him
Blood donation isn't until you know the blood group of the receiver, it can be stored till when the need arises .
- WHO CAN DONATE BLOOD?
There are certain health requirements before one can donate blood: you have to be healthy and must be between the age of 18-65, free of any kind of disease or infection.
In addition, before I wrap it up I would like you to take a quick look at some blood groups and compatibility below:
Blood Compatibility
| BLOOD TYPE | CAN GIVE TO | CAN RECIEVE FROM |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | A+,AB+ | A+, A-, O+, O- |
| O+ | O+, A+, B+, AB+ | O+, O- |
| B+ | B+, AB+ | B+, B-, O+, O- |
| AB+ | AB+ | EVERYONE |
| A- | A+, A-. AB+, AB- | A-, O- |
| O- | EVERYONE | O- |
| B- | B+, B-, AB+, AB- | B-, O- |
| AB- | AB+, AB- | AB-, A-, B-, O- |
Happy blood donors day, hope you find this article enlightening, donate blood today and save a life !