Since 2004, June 14 is observed as the World Blood Donor Day. The Sis the birthday of Nobel laureate Dr. Karl Land Steiner, who discovered ABO blood groups –the basis of modern day transfusion medicine. In the last 75 years, there has been a sea change in the modern transfusion medicine. 49 out of 192 countries of the world have reached 100% voluntary blood donation. Sadly, India is not in the list. When will the country join the distinguished club of donor countries? The first task is to thank all the blood donors who have saved millions of lives. The second is to motivate and recruit new donors. Third, would be to retain the old donors to help bridge the gap as there are enough potential blood donors in every community. What You Need to Know About Blood Donation Only true voluntary blood donors can ensure safe blood transfusion. Blood from commercial source is unsafe and may be fatal too. When is blood required? In case of blood loss due t illness and also for some blood diseases, cancer patients, burn cases, operation or accidents, blood transfusion is necessary to save lives. Even women during childbirth and new born babies may need blood transfusion. Who can be a voluntary blood donor? One and all. If the age is between 18 and 60 years, body weight is not less than 45 kilograms, and must not have suffered from any major ailments during the last one year. How much blood do we have? For men, 76ml per Kg of body weight and for women 66 ml per Kg of body weight. 50 ml per Kg of body weight is needed in circulatory system. Rest is surplus. How much quantity of blood can one donate? Up to 8 ml per Kg of body weight, which is just a fraction of one's surplus blood. What constitutes blood? 45% comprise cells, 55% plasma of which 92% is water. How long can blood be preserved in blood banks? 35 days (At present) What is the replenishment time of this donated blood? The liquid part is replenished in 2 days and the cells within 21 days. Are good food, medicine and rest required after blood donation? No. Normal food is sufficient. Half an hour after blood donation, one can resume normal activities. What should be the interval between blood donations? Three months. Between 18 and 60 years of age, one can donate blood up to 168 times. What is the responsibility of a voluntary blood donor? To provide the correct information about one's health status before any donation. blood donation. Can one donate blood for the sake for it? No. Only after medical check up and only when the doctor considers the person fit to donate. Are there any chances of contracting blood communicable diseases by donating blood? No. Only disposable 'one-use only' sterilized needle is used. What tests do blood banks perform after blood collection in blood banks? Blood group, malaria, jaundice, syphilis and HIV/ Aids test. Normally, diseases are not found in the blood of true voluntary blood donors. That is why blood from a voluntary blood donor is safe. What is the annual demand and supply of blood? What are the responsibilities of a blood donor after donating blood? 1. To collect blood group cum credit card 2. To remember one's own blood group. 3. To use blood group watch sticker. 4. To encourage others to donate blood. 5. Not to buy blood from commercial blood banks. 6. To use blood from government blood banks in time of need. 7. To donate blood at regular intervals and also to know the procedure to get blood from government blood banks. 8. To keep one fit enough to donate blood as a regular safe donor. What is to be done? · In 83% cases blood needed can be spelt out well in advance. · One should contact the blood bank with adequate lead period before the actual requirement. · Blood requisition and blood samples should be tendered to the blood bank counter every time blood is needed. · One has to approach the hospital blood bank first and if the right type of blood is not available, the district or central blood bank can be approached. · In non-emergency cases, it is prudent to report to the blood bank counter by 11.00 am on any working day. · In government blood banks, one can reserve the blood for three days before the actual requirement. · While taking the blood bag from the blood bank, the cross match slip must be collected. · No charge has to be paid if the blood is collected against a donor card. · In case the blood bank charges any service charge, a receipt must be obtained. Getting the receipt is the duty of every citizen. Isha Majumder, BA (Journo, Psy and Eng) WHO's Guidelines The World Health Organization has issued guidelines for the appropriate use of blood namely: · Transfusion of 'only one unit' of blood by an adult is not at all necessary. · Asking for 'fresh blood' every now and then is unscientific. · There is nothing called 'fresh blood' for transfusion. · It takes about four hours to test blood after collection. The so called 'fresh blood' is often untested blood, which may be dangerous for the patient and may even prove fatal. · Use of blood less than three days old should be avoided as there is increased risk of transmission of viral infections from the 'fresh blood'. The virus gets inactivated during storage.