What every ’life-saver’ needs to know

What every 'life-saver' needs to know

Recently the country observed World Blood Donor Day. If you've never donated blood before, Active! Provides answers to four of the most FAQs about blood donation, so that you too can become a life-saver

According to statistics, if even 1% of a country's population donates blood, it would be sufficient to meet the basic requirements for blood transfusions. However, donation rates are said to be less than 1% of the population in 77 countries. This can be due to a lack of awareness or myths concerning safety.

Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used for each donor and then discarded. Typically, blood donation is a four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation, followed by refreshments. The actual process takes less than 10 to 12 minutes. The average adult has about 10 units of blood and roughly one unit is given during a donation.

Q: Is donating blood safe?
Ans: Yes. Disposable needles and bags are used to collect blood and discarded after use, hence preventing any spread of infection to donor or recipient.

Q: Who is eligible to donate blood?
Ans: To donate blood, you must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the past eight weeks. Other factors that have to be considered are: If you have had malaria, then you have to wait at least three years.

Q: What is the procedure to donate blood?
Ans: You will be poked twice, once in the finger to get a drop of blood for an initial test, then when they draw blood.

Q: What can I do if I am not eligible to donate?
Ans: Help spread awareness, as India is surprisingly deficit of blood donors. You can also organise a blood drive in your neighbourhood.