World Blood Donor Day

K. Bimolkumar Singh *

Blood Donation camp during The Great June Uprising Observation on June 18 2013 :: pix - Deepak Oinam

World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on 14 June every year (the event, established in 2004), serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. With the slogan "Give the gift of life: donate blood", this year's campaign, the 10th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day, will focus on the value of donated blood to the patient, not only in saving life, but also in helping people live longer and more productive lives. The host country for World Blood Donor Day 2013 is France.

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on the 14th of June every year to mark the birth anniversary of Karl Lansteiner who discovered the blood group system.

Blood donation is carried out when a person voluntarily agrees for blood to be drawn with the intention of donating it. The donated blood may be used for transfusions or it may be separated into individual components to be used as required. The latter procedure is called fractionation.

Blood donation may be of different kinds. In the developed countries unpaid donors give blood to replenish a community supply. In economically poorer countries, however, blood donation is carried out according to demand, as the established blood ties are extremely limited. It may be an altruistic act or it may include a cash payment or incentives other than money. A person can have blood drawn and stored for own future use.

In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a target for all blood donors to be unpaid volunteers. But statistics, in 2006, revealed that only 49 of 124 countries surveyed had achieved this target. Typically, it is mandatory for potential donors to consent to blood donation. In the case of minors, parental consent is required. In some countries the donors may enjoy anonymity while in others it may be essential to know the ethnic background of the donor because some blood types are more common among certain races while being rare in others.

People who are potential donors are physically examined by a physician and their medical history is also examined. They will also have their blood screened for diseases that are easily transmitted through blood donations, such as viral hepatitis and AIDS.

Blood donation is rather easy and safe for most people. Some may feel faint or feel some pain when the blood is being drawn. The frequency with which blood can be drawn is dependant on various factors and also the law of the land. It may in general vary from days to month.

The amont of whole blood donated may vary between 300ml-500 ml (1 pint). Collection may be carried out manually or by using automated equipments, the latter helping to draw specific components from the blood. How often a donor can donate varies from days to months based on which component of the blood they are donating and the laws of the country where the donation takes place.

Blood components have a very short shelf life, therefore, acquiring a steady supply or stock piling blood or any of its components is a perennial problem.To circumvent this obstacle, scientist even tried their hand at transfusing blood from other animals to humans but in vain.It appears that only the blood of one human suits another. But there is more to that too as will be discussed in the coming sections.

Globally, there are tragedies happening at magnanimous scale and the demand for blood will escalate.After the September 11 tragedy the need to store blood was discussed with great fervor and the need to keep stock of a steady supply was greatly emphasized. According to 2008 estimates there was an annual collection of 81 million units of blood.

Donating blood is definitely an altruistic noble and noble gesture filling the donor with happiness and contentment.It is an intensely humanitarian act which tides over man made barriers and one of the best ways to express our love and care for our fellow beings.

Welcome to Indian Blood Donors

Everyday, hundreds of people in India require blood for a transfusion, a surgery or some medical procedure. In many cases, especially open heart surgery, there is need for fresh blood and therefore a need for donors.

If you are a healthy donor, and do not mind taking a little time out of your daily schedule to donate blood when someone is in an emergency, please REGISTER . You might be able to save a life or help ease the trauma for the kin of a patient. What's more, this very service might help you when in time of need.

Indian Blood Donors tries to help victims/patients/those in need of blood. It is an attempt to reach out to these individuals in need of blood and connect them to those willing to donate.

The approach is multi-pronged... Indian Blood Donors will serve as a public directory of voluntary donors The service allows those in need of blood to mention their needs which are then made visible to a wide audience A comprehensive database will help individuals locate the nearest Blood Bank It is also a myth dispeller / an informative resource on blood and blood donation

You can go to the nearest government approved blood centre, which is based on voluntary non/remunerated blood donation and make your significant contribution to saving life of a patient by donating blood. Your contribution is extremely valuable to us.

Why Donate Blood ?

Blood is the part of life that is given to those who need it by those who have the resource to satisfy the need. The love of fellow human and a desire to share something of oneself is what singles out a blood donor from the others. Emergencies occur every minute. For each patient requiring blood, it is an emergency and the patients could have set back if blood is not available.

Blood is needed every minute
To replace blood lost because of accidents or diseases.
To treat shock due to injury.
For Major & Minor surgeries including open heart surgeries, transplants etc.
For patients suffering from Anemia.
For burn victims.
During child birth for the mother.
For exchange transfusion for new born infants.
To make blood derivatives which are used to treat medical problems.
For children suffering from ailments like Thalassaemia, Hemophilia (bleeding disorders) , Leukemia, Blood Cancer.

Who Needs Blood ?

Your blood helps more than one life at a time. Every 2 seconds someone needs blood. Accidents, premature babies, major surgeries require Whole blood, where your blood after testing is used directly. Trauma, Anemia, other surgeries requires only RBC, which is separated from your blood. The procedure of splitting blood components is called Cytapheresis. Similarly Platelets are used for Cancer patients undergoing Chemotherapy, Dengue fever, etc. Fresh frozen plasma is used for patients having massive Transfusions, Plasma is used for Burns and Cryoprecipitate is used for Hemophilia.

When is blood needed?

Blood is needed at regular intervals and at all times as it has only a finite time to store. Red blood cells can be stored for about 42 days, Fresh Frozen Plasma and Cryoprecipitate for a year and platelets for 5 days.

Who can donate blood?

Anyone above 18 years weighing more than 50kgs (110 lbs) can donate blood. At the time of donation, you should not be suffering from fever or had consumed alcohol 48 hours before or smoked during that day.

About Blood Donation

Donating blood is safe and simple. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the blood donation process. Any healthy adult between 18 years and 60 years of age can donate blood. This is what you can expect when you are ready to donate blood:
You walk into a reputed and safe blood donation centre or a mobile camp organised by a reputed institution.
A few questions will be asked to determine your health status (general questions on health, donation history etc). Usually you will be asked to fill out a short form.
Then a quick physical check will be done to check temperature, blood pressure, pulse and haemoglobin content in blood to ensure you are a healthy donor.
If found fit to donate, then you will be asked to lie down on a resting chair or a bed. Your arm will be thoroughly cleaned. Then using sterile equipments blood will be collected in a special plastic bag.
Approximately 350 ml of blood will be collected in one donation. Those who weigh more than 60 Kg can donate 450 ml of blood.
Then you must rest and relax for a few minutes with a light snack and something refreshing to drink. Some snacks and juice will be provided.
Blood will be separated into components within eight hours of donation
The blood will then be taken to the laboratory for testing.
Once found safe, it will be kept in special storage and released when required.
The blood is now ready to be taken to the hospital, to save lives.

Not eligible for blood donation

Any other type of Jaundice (within 16 years)
Any allergies
AIDS
Cancer *
Chicken Pox (within 1 year)
Diabetes
Drastic weight loss (recently)
Fits/ Convulsions
Hepatitis B, C *
Hemophilia/ Bleeding problems *
Heart disease *
Hormonal disorders *
Hemoglobin deficiency / Anemia (recently)
Kidney disease *
Leprosy or any other infectious diseases
Malaria (within 1 year)
Major Surgery (within the last 4 months)
Tuberculosis (within 2 years)
Blood Donation (within the last 3 months)
Blood Transfusion (within the last 6 months)
Small Pox Vaccination (within the last 3weeks)
Pregnancy (within the last 6 months)
Organ Transplant (within one year)