Blood Donation Facts

Donating blood in the noblest deed one can opt for on the earth because donating
blood saves lives. Just imagine you are saving life of a human being! All the other
gifts are bought with the force of money but this gift comes out of only feeling! God
forbade no one would need blood…. But for those who are in need this acts like life
saving liquid. Life is God’s gift, so let’s nourish it carefully.
What exactly happens during blood-donation?
Giving blood is a very simple and straight forward process. On arrival at a blood
bank, 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. A small
drop of blood will be taken to ensure that you aren't anemic and there are some
tests to be made before donating the blood. After the tests are cleared one could
donate blood according to the doctor’s advice and then you will be escorted to a
blood donation area. The blood donation process takes just about 10 minutes
followed by a little rest and refreshment.
What should you eat after blood donation?
You should drink 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.
What does a blood bank do?
Blood Bank collects blood, processes it in its components, tests for any possible
disease, stores blood components at most favorable temperature and gives these to
the needy patients after cross matching.
What does happen to blood you donate?
Your blood goes to a modern blood bank. Within 6 hours of Blood collection its
processing starts Blood donation centre. It is separated into components viz. Red
Cells, White Cells, Plasma & Platelets. These Blood components are made available
to Govt. Hospitals, Nursing Homes, etc. All this is to ensure fastest response to the
patient’s need. This is how each time you donate blood you save up to 4
lives.
Why blood components?
In modern medicine there is no room for whole blood. Developed countries have
switched over to blood components for more than 20 years. Unfortunately in India
still 95% of the blood is used as whole blood. By making blood components, all the
useful parts of blood can be used. In whole blood, platelets die and clotting factors
become ineffective and the patient receives unwanted and ineffective components.
What all things blood bank test your blood for?
Blood banks use automatic and highly sensitive Robotic blood testing set up to test
each and every unit of blood for HIV Virus (AIDS), Hepatitis B & C virus (Jaundice)
Malaria Parasite, Syphilis and also blood groups.
Care that a donor should take after donating blood.
· Eat and Drinks something before leaving
· Drink more liquids than usual in next 4 hours
· Avoid consuming alcohol until you have eating something
· Don't smoke for next 30 minutes
· Avoid climbing steps for next 30 minutes
· If there is bleeding from the phlebotomy site, raise the arm and apply
pressure
· If fainting or dizziness occurs, either lie down or site with the head
between the knees
· Resume all normal activities if no symptoms occur
· Remove bandage next day
Source: Blood Donation Facts