Save a Life with Donating Blood

Have you ever tried giving blood? Why not? If you ask someone who has donated their blood even once they will tell you that it doesn't hurt and in fact it is good for you. For this issue's we'd like to help you understand more about the wonderful meritorious activity of blood donation.

Blood plays a vital role in saving human life, and because scientists have yet to succeed in discovering a suitable replacement for blood donation remains the most important means for transferring blood from one human to another. Blood donation refers to the giving of extra blood that is unnecessary for the body to someone in need. Giving blood is by no means dangerous because the human body normally contains 17 to 18 glasses of blood, of which only 15 to 16 are actually used so the extra portion can be donated to others.

Blood donation can be done as often as every 3 months.

This is because when some blood has been donated, the bone will produce new blood cells to replace the blood lost and maintain the same blood volume. If one does not donate blood, the body will routinely excrete the degenerated blood cells in the form of urine, feces, or sweat.

Donors must be 17 to 60 years old, in excellent health, and weight over 45 kilo. They must get enough sleep and must not have had any alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours before the donation. Women may not give blood when they are menstruating or pregnant.

The process of blood donation usually takes approximately 15 minutes. The nurse will take 350 to 450 cc of blood, depending on the donor's weight, to be stored in a blood bag. Then the donor will have not only the feeling of pride of having giving the gift of life, but will also have their blood examined for free to detect for hepatitis B and C, AIDS and others diseases. The National Blood Center will award each donor a donation pin for the 1st, 7th, 16th, 24th, 36th, 48th, 60th, 72th, 84th, 96th, and 108th donation.

Someone asked me how much it hurts. Trust me, it's only a pinch. It's worth it for the benefit. One day your blood might help save someone's life. So what are you waiting for?