Help Save Lives

The Department of Health together with various international agencies just recently celebrated the World Blood Donor Day last June 14, 2015. Various government and non-government agencies here and abroad conducted several blood donation programs.

“Thank you for Saving My Life” is this year’s WBDD theme. According to the WHO Collaborating Center for Blood Transfusion, the celebration focuses on extending a million thanks to individuals who have donated graciously and unselfishly given their share of saving lives thru donating their own blood.

Nationwide campaigns have been made by all agencies to encourage people and increase more public awareness of the importance of blood donation. They also speak about promoting regular voluntary donation activities which will encourage existing and potential blood donors to continue in their drive to promoting safe blood donation.

Being a health practitioner myself, it is also my responsibility advocating a healthy awareness blood donation program. Health benefits can also be attained by donating several ounces of precious blood such as:

• Reducing risk of cardiovascular diseases (stroke, heart attack, and hypertension) – decreases blood viscosity in turn decreasing chances of blood clot formation and inflammation.
• Balance Iron levels in Blood – excessive iron build up can result in excessive oxidative damage. As an end result, this can be deposited in the walls of arteries causing atherosclerosis. By donating your blood, you are getting rid of 250mg of iron thus getting rid of its nasty effects.
• Reduce risk of Cancer – this has been implicated with high levels of iron in the blood.
• Burn Unwanted Calories – each pint of blood removes at least 650 Kcal. However this should not be thought of a substitute weight loss plan.
• Free Health Check-up – donors who submit themselves prior to donating their blood will be tested for illnesses at their early stage. The donated blood is then screened for infectious diseases such as Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis and other viral infections.
• Helping Save Human Lives – every blood donated is divided into several components according on the patient’s need. For every blood donated, you can help 3-4 individual recipients.

So the next time around you hearing a blood donation program, just remember these and be not afraid.