Hey what's going on everyone!. As stated in my introductory post I'm an undergraduate student of medical laboratory science. This post was inspired by the few clinical posting days I spent at the Hematology/Blood Group Serology laboratory where I had the opportunity to work with senior scientists at the blood bank to receive blood from our wonderful donors and to dispatch blood and blood components to clinical ward as requested by the clinicians.
What is blood and why should you donate blood?
Blood is a connective tissue that is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets all suspended in a medium call plasma. Blood functions to deliver necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to body cells and transport metabolic waste products away from such cells. Blood is circulated round the body through the pumping action of the heart.
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood and blood components (plasma, serum etc) intravenously into one's circulation.
Have you ever donated blood? When last did you participate in such voluntary act and how often do you?. As an healthy person you might never appreciate the importance of blood donation until you or someone close to you is in dire need of blood.
Without questioning, blood transfusion is an integral component of health care and helps to save millions of lives all year round in both routine and emergency circumstances.
Apart from saving lives, scientific studies have shown that those who voluntarily donate blood have the possiblity of living longer. So if you disgust the idea of donating blood you may need to have a rethink.
Benefits of blood donation to the donor.
Reduces risk of heart attack.
Prevents liver damage.
Lowers risk of cancer.
Reduces level of cholesterol in the body.
Prevention of premature aging.
Where to donate blood.
There are various places where you can easily walk in to and donate blood within minutes.
You will be asked various questions concerning your health and some routine laboratory tests will be carried out on your blood sample to determine if you're fit for blood donation.
Defeat procastination and create time out of your tight schedule to save a life by donating a pint of your blood today.
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