Blood Donation,is considered as one of the most noble effort of human towards mankind which he/she can put in his/her lifetime, as the value to few drops of blood cannot be measured in any terms by anyone except than the one who survived due to those few drops from the mouth of death.
But despite of knowing this fact, most of the people are still not actively participating themselves in this noble cause. As this is not a work which can be asked by anyone to do forcefully, people should realize, leaving behind all their myths, that how vital their blood can become for someone whose life can be saved by their little step. Let’s try to explore our knowledge in this domain a little bit more through this post
There are many facts related to Blood and its donation. Some of those can be listed as...
Facts about blood needs
1.Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood
2.More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day
3.One out of every 10 people admitted in a hospital needs blood
4.Total blood transfusions in a given year: 14 million (2001)
5.The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints
6.The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O
7.The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs
8.Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98% of who are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives
9.More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
10.A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.
Facts about eligibility
11.You must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and be in good general health to donate (Note: eligibility requirements may vary in some states and blood centers)
12.A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days
13.A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as 3 days apart, but a maximum of 24 times a year
Facts about the blood supply
14.The number of blood donations collected in the U.S. in a year: 15 million (2001)
15.The number of blood donors in the U.S. in a year: 8 million (2001)
16.The number of patients who receive blood in the U.S. in a year: 4.9 million (2001)
17.The volume of blood transfused to patients is increasing at the rate of 6% per year (2001)
18.The demand for blood transfusions is growing faster than donations
19.Less than 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood
20.Blood cannot be manufactured — it can only come from generous donors
21.Shortages of all blood types usually occur during the summer and winter holidays
Facts about the blood donation process
22.Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded
23.Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration and medical history, mini-physical, donation, and refreshments
24.Every blood donor is given a mini-physical, checking the donor's temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hematocrit level (red blood cells count) to ensure it is safe for him or her to give blood
25.The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour
26.The average adult has about 10 to 12 pints of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation
27.All donated blood is tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases, before it can be released to hospitals
28.Information you give to the American Red Cross during the donation process is strictly confidential. It may not be released without your permission except as directed by law
Facts about blood and its components
29.Whole blood can be processed into red cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate. The total number of units of all of these components transfused in a year is 29 million (2001)
30.It is possible to donate specifically only platelets or plasma. This process is called apheresis
31.Most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection
32.Donated platelets must be used within 5 days of collection — new donations are constantly needed
33.Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets. The body will replenish the elements given during a blood donation - some in a matter of hours, and others in a matter of weeks
Facts about donors
34.The #1 reason donors say they give blood is because they "want to help others"
35.Two most common reasons cited by people who don't give blood are: "Never thought about it" and "I don't like needles"
36.One donation can help save the lives of up to 3 people
37.If you began donating blood at age 17 and donated every 56 days until you reached 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of blood, potentially helping save over 1,000 lives!
38.Red Cross donors are 50% male, 50% female
39.The American Red Cross accepts blood donations only from voluntary donors
40.Among Red Cross donors in a given year, 18% donate occasionally, 38% are first time donors, and 43% are repeat and loyal donors
41.People with O- type blood are universal donors. Their blood can be given to people of all blood types. Only 7% of people in the U.S. have O- blood type
42.Type O- blood is often used in emergencies before the patient's blood type is known, and with newborns who need blood.
43.45% of people in the U.S. have type O (+/-) blood. This percentage is higher among Hispanics — 57%, and among African Americans — 51%
44.People with AB+ type blood are universal donors of plasma, the liquid portion of blood. AB+ plasma is often used in emergencies, for newborns and for patients requiring massive transfusions
45.Only 7 percent of people in India have O-negative blood type.
46.Thirty-five percent of people have Type O (positive or negative) blood and 0.4 percent of people have AB-blood type throughout the globe
Facts about the American Red Cross
47.The American Red Cross blood program started in 1940, under the leadership of Dr. Charles Drew
48.The American Red Cross supplies approximately 45% of the nation's blood supply
49.The Red Cross provides blood for patients in nearly 3,000 hospitals across the U.S.
50.The Red Cross makes blood available to any patient who needs it — patients are not required to find donors to replace the blood they use (a practice common in Europe and some U.S. blood banks) allowing the patient and their family to focus on recovery
51.80% of the blood donations given to the Red Cross are collected at mobile blood drives set up at community organizations, companies, high schools, and colleges, places of worship or military installations. The remaining 20% are collected at fixed Red Cross donor centers
52.The American Red Cross works with over 50,000 sponsors each year to hold more than 120,000 blood drives, providing convenient locations for people to give blood
Apart from these, some basic requirements to donate blood are:-
Age: 18 + to 60 -
Blood Pressure: 110/70 to 130/90
Weight: Whole Blood donor - 45 kgs & Component donors - 55 kgs
(generally it is 7ml / kg)
Hemoglobin : 12+
Donation frequency (Whole Blood): 90 days
Donation frequency (Component): 90 days
(The above are standards for Indians who can donate blood)
Giving blood is a very simple and straight forward process. On arrival at a blood drive, you will be asked to fill a few details on a donor form. Your medical history will be taken by medical personnel in an area which provides adequate privacy. Doctors routinely take a small drop of blood to ensure that you aren't anemic. After you pass this simple medical screening process, you will be escorted to a blood donation area. The actual blood donation takes about 10 minutes followed by a little rest and refreshments. After blood donation drink some liquid like tea, cold drink, juice, etc. to replenish fluid and eat some snacks. All this will be available for you at the blood donation site. Apart from the above procedure, cares that a donor should take after donating blood are:-
1. Eat and Drinks something before leaving
2. Drink more liquids than usual in next 4 hours
3. Avoid consuming alcohol until you have eating something
4. Don’t smoke for next 30 minutes
5. Avoid climbing steps for next 30 minutes
6. If there is bleeding from the phlebotomy site, raise the arm and apply pressure
7. If fainting or dizziness occurs, either lie down or site with the head between the knees
8. Resume all normal activities if no symptoms occur
9. Remove bandage next day
But despite of being such a simple and least painful process, we will still find many people around us who are still unaware of the benefits of blood donation and still surrounded by old myths and prejudices. Many medical practitioners work continuously for clarifying common man’s doubts regarding this process and I found some of the common Myths on Internet which I would like to share with all so that even if someone has some myths then by reading these comments by experts in medical field, those myths can be given proper and justified answer.
Myth: HIV or other infections can be contracted from donating blood.
Fact: A clear procedure exists for taking blood from each donor. Sterility is maintained at all steps. A sterile, new needle is used for each donation and is then properly discarded. Use of sterile equipment and technique limits the chance of infection.
Myth: Giving blood is time consuming
Fact: The time taken for a single donation session is normally not more than an hour or so.
Myth: There is limited blood in the body and it is unhealthy to give some away.
Fact: Only about 470ml of blood is taken during a donation session. There is enough blood in the body to donate it without experiencing any ill effects. The body makes new blood after donation.
Myth: Age is a deterrent to blood donation.
Fact: Anyone up to the age of 60 who is fit and healthy can give blood.
Myth: Heavy people are healthier and have more blood to give.
Fact: Being overweight makes people less healthy. Overweight people do not have more blood.
Myth: Health deteriorates after donating blood.
Fact: If you are healthy prior to donation, your recovery is complete in a day or two. It is advised to rest a while after donating. Drinking enough liquids replaces the lost fluid within a couple of hours. The body produces new cells faster after a donation. All the RBCs are replaced within 3-4 days and WBCs within 3 weeks.
Myth: you cannot take part in sports or other physical activities after donating blood.
Fact: Giving blood does not interfere with ability to perform physically. Advice to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous workouts for the rest of the day is given after the donation. You can get back on track the next day.
Myth: Taking medication means that one cannot be a blood donor.
Fact: Depending on the medication being taken, it may halt donation for a period, though in many cases it won't prevent a donation. The person in charge or the nursing staff should be informed before donating.
Myth: When there is a requirement, blood can be manufactured.
Fact: Blood is not something that can be manufactured. It can only come from healthy human beings.
Myth: Being of mixed race precludes blood from being helpful.
Fact: Race and caste have no bearing on eligibility for being a blood donor. It is the blood type and group that is of importance.
Myth: Blood donation can tell if one is HIV positive.
Fact: HIV antibodies can take months to develop after infection with the virus. Those recently infected may have a negative test result and yet be able to infect others. It is better not to donate blood if at risk of getting HIV or other infections.
Do you know that:-
•Only 5 percent of eligible donors across the nation donate blood, but the number of transfusions nationwide increases by 9 percent every year.
•Whole blood donors can donate as frequently as every 56 days. A benefit from donating this often is that you receive a mini-physical once every two months.
•Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
•About 133,700 units of blood products are transfused at Mayo Clinic annually.
•Whole blood donation only takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
•On average, a hip replacement typically uses one unit of blood, cardiac bypass 2 units, a heart transplant 2 units, and a liver transplant 10 units!
•Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come as a gift from people.
•The need for blood increases during holidays and summer months. People are more apt to be traveling and active during these times and thus are at an increased risk for accidents.
•Statistics show that 25 percent or more of us will require blood at least once in our lifetime.
•June 14th is the World Blood Donor Day.
There are also several benefits of blood donation to the donor himself:
1.The Kansas University Medical Center found that men who participate in blood donation experience a 30 percent fewer incidents of heart disease and stroke compared to those people who did not.
2.In 1998 American Journal of Epidemiology published that blood donation can reduce the overall iron levels in blood, which may protect against heart attack. But this applies to people who had high iron in their blood to begin with.
3.Blood donation forces your body to replace the lost blood with fresh NEW cells.
4.Men do not have menstrual period, therefore they store iron in their bodies, and often it’s more than they need.
5.A healthy body replaces blood within 48 hours and creates NEW red blood cells within a week.
6.Most blood donation sites check your heart rate, hemoglobin, blood pressure etc. for FREE. If you get those checked in a regular doctor's clinic, it will cost you money.
7.You hardly lose blood, average adult has 10 pints of total blood, we donate just 1 pint. Giving blood will not decrease your strength.
8.Most employers usually give time off when you want to donate blood.
And above all the below chart will give more detail about human blood:-
FREQUENCY OF BLOOD TYPES
O+ 1 person in 3 O- 1 person in 15
A+ 1 person in 3 A- 1 person in 16
B+ 1 person in 12 B- 1 person in 67
AB+ 1 person in 29 AB- 1 person in 167
EXAMPLES OF BLOOD USE
1. Automobile Accident 50 units of blood
2. Heart Surgery 6 units of blood / 6 units of platelets
3. Organ Transplant 40 units of blood / 30 units of platelets
4. 20 bags of cryoprecipitate 25 units of fresh frozen plasma
5. Bone Marrow Transplant 120 units of platelets/ 20 units of blood
6. Burn Victims 20 units of platelets
The main components of Blood
Plasma
Plasma is the liquid, straw-colored part of blood. It makes up about 50 to 60 per cent of the total volume of blood.
Red Blood Cells (RBC).
Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, carry oxygen to body tissues and remove carbon dioxide.
Platelets
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are disk like structures that help stop bleeding.
What is the shelf life of various components?
Even in one’s own body, it gets replaced in about 120 days.
•RBCs can be stored up to 42 days at 2 - 6 C,
•Platelets for 5 days at 20 - 24 C with constant agitation
•Plasma for one year at less than - 30 C.
•When stored as whole blood, the clotting factors in the plasma lose their efficacy in 4 hours and the platelets lose their function after 24 hours.
It is now discouraged the use of whole blood in order to prevent wastage of these blood components. Everyone and anyone may need the blood, but not all people qualify to donate.
Who should NOT donate blood?
1. Pregnant or lactating women, or those who have recently had an abortion.
2. Persons who are on steroids, hormonal supplements, or certain specified medication, like for Diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary diseases, Malaria, .Jaundice, Typhoid TB, Cancer etc.
3. Persons with multiple sexual partners or those who are addicted to drugs.
5. Persons who have undergone surgery in the previous six months.
6. Persons who have consumed alcohol in the 24 hours prior to donation.
7. Women should avoid donation during their menstruating period.
8. Those who have undergone various vaccinations should avoid donation for the corresponding period specified.
Blood is life saver, but if not screened well, it can also induce new diseases. In fact before a major elective surgery, if time permits, now doctors prefer to save blood from the patient to reduce all risks.
Safe blood may generally be described as having no traces of viruses, parasites, drugs, alcohol, chemical substances or other factors that may cause harm to the recipient. A crucial element in ensuring safety is to know as much as possible about the source of donated blood.
I donate blood frequently since I was in my college and still am continuing the same and strongly believe that more and more people should take their active involvement in this noble cause so that many lives can be saved throughout the globe every year.
I request all people who are going through his post and not involved in blood donation process any how to take time in your life for yourself and others and contribute from your side towards the welfare of mankind and enjoy the joy that will come in your heart after going through this process. I cannot explain such feeling in words as this can only be felt. I hope my efforts will help in changing the mindset of some skeptical persons definitely.
(NOTE:-Above all statements show my personal views and facts are grasped from Internet. I believe they are not contradictory and will not anyone’s emotions. If done so by mistake, then I apologize for the same.)
A message issued in general awareness by Mohit Kumar Jain on 02-02-2010.
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