Life, they say, is in the blood; this is true and significant, especially for those who are in dire need of a blood transfusion. They may need it due to surgeries, major injuries, childbirth, and other medical conditions.
For some of these people, they are minutes or hours away from death without access to blood. Meanwhile, the availability of blood for transfusions mostly depends on voluntary blood donors. The challenge is that there aren’t enough blood donors.
Today is World Blood Donor Day, and this article reveals the benefits and reasons to donate blood.
Blood Donation Participation
Every year, over 100 million people donate blood globally, 40% of which cover only 16% of the global population. In developed countries, blood donations account for more than 90% of their needs.
It isn’t so in middle- and lower-income regions, where patients have to depend on family or paid donors.
Reasons to Donate Blood
There are benefits to voluntarily donating your blood. Here is why you should consider a blood donation:
1. Saving Lives
A lot of people will die without access to blood transfusions. Trauma and cancer patients need it for survival. The same is true for people with chronic anemia and those in surgery.
The good part is that one single blood donation can save up to three lives. That’s because it gets split into plasma, red cells, and platelets, and each component is used as needed.
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2. A Brief Health Check-Up
You get to enjoy a mini-health screening anytime you donate. This happens because the center has to determine if you’re eligible.
You will get your blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, and hemoglobin levels checked. These are vital pieces of information that help monitor your health and detect issues early.
3. Free Blood Analysis
To prevent the transmission of any diseases to recipients, donated blood is analyzed. They screen for various diseases like HIV, Hep B and C, and other blood-based diseases.
Though the primary purpose is to ensure that the blood is safe, it also alerts you to any underlying medical conditions.
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4. Blood Typing (ABO and Rh Factor)
Blood typing is one important criterion for blood transfusion to prevent severe reactions. This is because the blood type must match that of the recipient to ensure compatibility.
As a result, if you never knew yours, by donating, you will know yours. The main blood types are A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, and AB-.
5. Rare Blood Type
Some blood types are rare. They include AB-, AB+, and B-, with the rarest being AB-, with about 1% of the donor population. This makes it hard to find a donor for them, limiting the availability of compatible blood.
Due to this, every AB- -donor makes a significant difference. Should you require a transfusion, knowing your rare blood type will also hasten the matching process. Making it one of the many good reasons to donate blood.
6. Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Donating blood can help lower your blood iron levels. It is useful because excess levels of iron could lead to oxidative stress. This can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
As a result, reducing your iron stores can reduce your risk for heart disease. A study found that men who donate blood regularly have a lower risk of developing heart disease.
7. Lower Blood Viscosity
Blood viscosity refers to the thickness or stickiness of your blood. Blood donation can reduce blood viscosity. This is important because thicker blood doesn’t flow easily and puts more strain on your heart, increasing the risk of blood clots.
And so, donating blood can reduce your red blood cells and lower your hematocrit. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in your blood volume.
With fewer red blood cells, there’s smoother flow through your blood vessels, which improves blood circulation.
8. Burn Calories
Blood donations use up calories in your body. Here’s how. During and after donation, your body gets busy trying to replenish hemoglobin levels. This increases your metabolic and heart rate and makes you dispense calories. Research by UC San Diego estimates that donating a unit of blood (about 500 ml) burns around 650 calories.
However, this calorie burning occurs over time, and donating blood is not a weight-loss strategy. A healthy diet, exercise, and more are key to sustainable weight management.
9. Encourages a healthier lifestyle
People who donate blood are often more conscious of their health. It could be because regular donations tend to encourage healthier behavior. This may include eating a balanced diet and exercising.
It also increases your awareness of your well-being and motivates you to prioritize self-care practices.
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10. Psychological well-being
Donating blood can contribute to a positive mental state. The reason is that the act of aiding someone in need triggers the release of dopamine in the brain. As a result, it promotes your feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and purpose.
Moreso, saving a life can boost your self-esteem, offering you a more positive outlook on life.
A Win-Win for Everyone
Blood donation is a powerful way to improve your well-being while making a significant impact on the lives of others.
This selfless act benefits the recipient, you, the donor, and society at large. These are excellent reasons to donate blood.
So why not consider becoming a blood donor today?
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