Why should we donate blood?
Blood donation gives, a proud feeling of touching someone’s life in such a beautiful way. Its an experience that no words can define. You have to donate blood yourself to find out. By keeping the blood line flowing, you will greatly contribute towards a healthier, happier society. Do remember, any one may require blood any time. Including ourselves and our dear ones. You also benefit in other ways by donating blood. It reduces the chances of ischemic heart diseases (beginning of heart problems) as frequent donations reduce the accumulated and unwanted iron load from the body. Your blood donation will also get you your blood insurance from us.
Any side effects of blood donation?
We believe in professionalism i.e., high standards of personal conduct, character and approach to the cause. We sincerely strive to bring in needed professionalism in blood banking in the society so that the society gets the best it deserves.
If I get any disease by blood donation?
That is impossible. Only sterile disposables are used to collect your blood. These disposables can be used only one time. This totally eliminates any remote chance of catching any disease from blood donation.
How much blood can I donate?
Eligible donors (any body between 18 to 60 years of age and leading a healthy life) with weight above 50 kgs. can donate up to 450 ml of blood. Your body can replenish this volume within 24 hours.
Why should I become a regular blood donor?
As you know, blood is a life saving medicine, which works wonders in certain medical treatments, and life threatening situations. It is an emergency medicine. Our society is today threatened by scarcity of blood. The only source of blood right now is human being.
This issue has got further complexes by professional donors, who donate blood for money. These donors have contributed towards rapid spread of killer diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis B & Hepatitis C in the society. WHO strongly recommends the source of blood as only from a regular voluntary blood donor. Your regular donation will go a long way in salvaging the situation
What should I eat before blood donation?
Anything, but preferably something. Eating light snacks and a drink (nonalcoholic) before blood donation makes you psychologically more comfortable.
What exactly happens during blood donation?
Giving blood is a very simple and straight forward process. On arrival at a blood drive, you will be asked to fill a few details on a donor form. Your medical history will be taken by a medical personnel in an area which provides adequate privacy. We routinely take a small drop of blood to ensure that you aren’t anemic. After you pass this simple medical screening process, you will be escorted to a blood donation area. The actual blood donation takes about 10 minutes followed by a little rest and refreshments.
What happens to blood that I donate?
Your blood goes to a modern blood bank – Indian Voluntary Blood Bank. Within 6 hours of Blood collection its processing starts at Indian Voluntary Blood Bank. It is separated into components viz. Red Cells, Plasma & Platelets. These Blood components are made available to Chennai Municipal Corporation Hospitals, Govt. Hospitals, Nursing Homes. Medical setups, which do not have blood storage facilities, send their samples to us for cross matching following which blood is sent to them directly. 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.
How costs are met?
Indian Voluntary Blood Bank is run on a “ Not for Profit” but self sustaining basis. There is a service charge levied on blood that is distributed. This service charge is essential for meeting cost of raw material, testing, processing, providing for depreciation and administration expenses. This will also give IVBB an opportunity to undertake fundamental research in the field of transfusion medicine. Meanwhile to take care of people from poor economic status, 50 % of blood components which go to municipal corporation hospitals are free or at reduced service charges. IVBB is committed to up lift the standards of blood banking and in turn the quality of Life of the common man in our society.
What is the benefits of blood donation ?
- You are saving someone lives and happy to be example of mankind
- Lower risk of cancer
- Reduce the chance of heart attack
- Enhances the production of new blood cells
- lower the risk of stroke
Will giving blood bruise my arm?
Occasionally, bruising of the arm may develop. The bruise may look dramatic and some people can find this worrying, especially if it appears away from the donation area. Bruises are usually harmless and will disappear with time and it is normal for them to spread out before fading.
Although we hope that no one will have any ill effects from giving blood, occasionally bruising of the arm and some arm pain may develop.
- Redness and/or inflammation of the donation arm
- Change of skin temperature or colour to your donation arm or hand.
If you do develop a bruise the following R.I.C.E advice may also help
Does it hurt to give blood?
Following needle insertion you should be comfortable during your donation. If your arm hurts or feels sore while giving blood please alert a member of staff.
Treat your bruise with R.I.C.E
Rest – allow time for the arm to heal, avoid heavy lifting, e.g. at the gym or carrying heavy shopping. Light gentle movement is recommended. After 36 hours, return to normal activity.
Ice – This is most effective immediately for swelling of the bruise and surrounding area. Do not place directly onto the skin; use a cloth to act as a barrier to prevent freezeburns, e.g. pack of frozen vegetables or an ice pack.
Compression – pressing on the point where the needle was inserted.
Elevation – If possible, when resting elevate your arm on a pillow.
Treatment for the bruise is most effective whilst the bruise is still reddish, however after 36 hours – heat in the form of a warm cloth to be applied to the bruise for approximately 10 minutes, 2-3 times a day may increase blood flow to the bruised area allowing the skin to reabsorb the bruise more quickly – ultimately the bruise will fade in colour.
Blood Donation Dos
- Eat foods high in iron a few hours before donating to ensure that your iron count is high. These include whole grains, red meat, eggs, and dark, leafy vegetables such as spinach. The vitamin C in orange juice also helps increase iron absorption.
- Having a light-hearted conversation with the person administering your donation can help to distract you. Pinch yourself while the needle is going in, and have something to chew on, such as gum, to take your mind off the needle. Recite something from memory, or sing a song while the blood is being drawn. Before you know it, the process will be over.
- Have a snack after the donation. All centers provide fruit juice and sugary snacks to get your blood sugar back up to a normal level. Be sure to have the juice and cookies, and rest in the center while you eat.
- Make sure your next meal is high in protein. Also remember to consume fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water, as the combination will help your body to create new blood right away.
- Rest for the remainder of the day. Don’t plan a trip to the gym or to the dance club later. Instead, try to rest as you would if you were trying to get over a bad cold. Read, see a movie, or work on the computer, but don’t push yourself too hard
Blood Donation Don’ts
- Don’t consume caffeinated beverages before donating. While it’s important to drink plenty of fluids beforehand, caffeinated drinks are diuretics, which will make the body expel more water. Stick with water instead.
- Don’t eat fatty foods prior to the process. The fat in fast foods, for example, can interfere with the blood screening done after the donation, causing the blood to be disposed of, and you don’t want your donation to go to waste
- Don’t donate on an empty stomach. Eat a good breakfast to keep your blood sugar stable and to ward off lightheadedness. Don’t eat too close to donation time, however, as this may result in an upset stomach.
- Don’t donate if you weigh less than 110 pounds or if you’re younger than 17 years of age.