World Blood donor day is celebrated every 14th of June annually in many countries across the World. The celebration day coincides with the birthday Anniversary of Austrian Scientist Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO blood group system.

According to the World Health Organization, the day raises awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need. The theme of this year’s is “Blood donation as an action of solidarity”. 

Five most common myths of blood donation include;

1. Blood Donation makes one feel stressed with episodes of severe headache and vomit: Blood donation cannot cause episodes of headache and vomiting if the blood pressure of the donor is within normal limits prior to donation.
2. Frequent donation lowers the body’s immunity level: This is not true as the body’s immunity level is not affected by blood donation.
3. Frequent donation can cause infection: There is no known relationship between an infection and blood donation.
4. Regular blood donation may lead to obesity: Donating blood does not affect your body weight. However some people, after blood donation, eat more food than normal and avoid exercise which may cause weight gain but it is not directly connected to blood donation.
   5. Complete rest for a day after donating blood: One can easily resume his or her normal day-to-day routine after donating blood, but should take care of the following;

• Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water including juices within 24 hours following blood donation.
• Avoid sun exposure.
• Avoid driving for the next 2-3 hours.
• Avoid smoking for next 4 hours.
• Avoid alcohol for next 24 hours.

BENEFITS OF DONATING BLOOD

1. Maintains iron level: By donating blood, the iron level is properly maintained. Excess iron level increases the chances of cardio vascular diseases.
2. Helps in proper maintenance of heart and liver.
3. Blood Donation provides you the free health check-up.
4. Enhances the production of new blood cells.
5. It saves lives.
6. Anti-cancer benefits: blood donation helps in lowering the risk of cancer.

CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE WHO NEEDS BLOOD

1. Women with complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and haemorrhage (before, during or after childbirth).
2. Children with severe anaemia often resulting from diseases like thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, malaria or malnutrition.
3. People with severe trauma
4. Many complex medical and surgical procedures.
5. People with haemophilia

Reference: WHO, Bloodconnect

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