“Be a blood donor, Be someone’s hero.”
I’ve always seen posters about blood donation and met people who have tried to convince me on donating my blood but I always cringe at the imagination of being injected with a big fat syringe and the side effects afterward so I just wave it off.
Can you blame me?
Yes, I understand we all have our fears and excuses when it comes to blood donation but have you thought of the bright side to it?
Blood donation has little to no cons as long as you’re in the stable health and complete eligibility for it.
Imagine being in an emergency where your relative or friend is in desperate need of a transfusion, you’ll be so grateful to have a blood donor come through.
On the other hand, you being the one who helps another in need of transfusion by donating your blood, would feel heroic especially after receiving multiple thanks and prayers from relatives of the patient.
It indeed is a satisfying feeling!
WHAT IS BLOOD DONATION?
Blood donation as the name implies is voluntarily giving out your blood for blood transfusion. An act of human service with no monetary compensation.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Blood donation is important in helping patients survive critical life conditions e.g surgeries, trauma, cancer, e.t.c.
It’s as beneficial for you as it is for the patient. Donating your blood helps your body generate new blood cells which revitalizes your body.
Since blood donation requires a preliminary health check-up to prove that you’re fit for donating, this helps you know the state of your body. It allows you to learn something new about your body and makes you health-conscious.
HOW DO I DONATE, WHAT DO I EXPECT?
If an opportunity comes, seize it.
Before the donation process, you’ll be registered at the blood bank and questions would be asked to know if you’re eligible for donation (more like a private health screening).
After all has been done and you’ve been confirmed fit, a phlebotomist (a specialist trained to take samples of blood for testing) would insert a sterile needle into your vein for about one pint of blood to be drawn.
The process doesn’t hurt much and it’s not time-consuming.
At the end of it, you’ll be required to rest for a while and given refreshments to help your body come back to normal since you lost some fluids.
You might have side effects but they surely are not lasting. The need to hydrate, rest, and avoid strenuous activities are advisable.
Facing your fears and challenging your excuses is worth it if it saves a life. You don’t have to be a doctor to save a life, just donate blood.
It’s simple, safe, and saves lives too!!
