Uddokta 64 Blood Bank

Eligibility for donating blood is as follows:

• Age should be between 18 and 60 years.
• You should not be suffering, or had history of cancer.
• You should not be suffering from any blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia.

If you are eligible, you may register as a blood donor, but at the time of donating blood, follow the instructions mentioned below:

• Your weight should be 45kg or above
• Minimum hemoglobin count should be 12.5gm.
• Pulse rate should be between 50 and 100 per minute, without any irregularities.
• Blood pressure should be, diastolic 50 to 100 mm Hg and Systolic 100 to 180 mm Hg.
• Body temperature should be normal and oral temperature should not exceed 37.5 degree Celsius.
• Should not have undergone any treatment for rabies or received Hepatitis B immune globulin within the past one year.
• Should not have donated blood within last three months.
• Should not have been treated for malaria within last three months.
• Should not have undergone any immunization within the past one month.
• Should not have undergone any dental work or taken aspirin within last the 72 hours.
• Should not have consumed alcohol within the last 9 hours.
• If you have any chronic disease that is not mentioned here, you may register, but please inform the patient or the doctor or the hospital staff before you donate blood.

Please do not register as a blood donor or donate blood in case

• You are HIV+.
• You are suffering, or had history of cancer.
• You are suffering from any blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia.

There’s no substitute for blood donation and giving blood regularly saves lives. One single donation can be split into three separate parts, helping, saving or improvising the lives of patients. Just three teaspoons of blood can save the life of a premature baby. If you donate blood, you can help in saving lives of many people.

Improves Heart Health

Donating blood improves your overall cardio vascular health. Increased level of iron in the blood raises the chance of heart diseases. Regularly donating blood helps males in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood. This can reduce the chance of heart attack by 88%. Additionally, regular blood donation can lower the risk of severe cardio vascular events such as stroke by 33%.

Burns calories

Donating blood on a regular basis can also improve fitness. Donating one pint of blood (450ml) burns 650 calories in donor’s body.
Enhances feeling of well being in elderly people

Many elderly people who are in good health have reported feeling invigorated and re-energized by giving blood on a regular basis

Reduces the risk of cancer

Give blood to help lower your risk of cancer. According to the Miller- keystone blood center, consistent blood donation is associated with lowered risks of cancers, including liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat cancers. Risk levels drop in correlation with how often participants donate blood.

Saves lives

By donating blood, many lives are saved and hope is given to many whose situation may otherwise be hopeless. Blood donors give such patients a second chance of life.

Free health screening done

In addition to all of these benefits, a donor receives a free prior health screening plus mini blood test. There will be an Hb (Haemoglobin) level test as well as a blood pressure and body check. Blood is also tested for some major diseases and the donor is immediately informed in strict confidentiality if any of these tests show positive results.

Bring joy to many

When you donate blood, your help not only the patient whose life may depend on your donation, but also all those who depend on that patient. The entire community will benefit from the spirit of generosity.
Blood donation is service to humankind

By donating blood you help the needy and save precious lives.

Facts about blood needs

• Every year our nation requires about 5 Crore units of blood, out of which only a meager 2.5 Crore units of blood are available.
• The gift of blood is the gift of life. There is no substitute for human blood.
• Every two seconds someone needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year.
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.
• Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood

Facts about the blood supply

• Blood cannot be manufactured – it can only come from generous donors.
• Type O-negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand and often in short supply.
• Type AB-positive plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types. AB plasma is also usually in short supply.

Facts about the blood donation process

• Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.
• Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments.
• Every blood donor is given a mini-physical, checking the donor’s temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood.
• The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour and 15 min.
• The average adult has about 10 units of blood in his body. Roughly 1 unit is given during a donation.
• A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days, or double red cells every 112 days.
• A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as 7 days apart, but a maximum of 24 times a year.
• All donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases before it can be transfused to patients.

Facts about blood and its components

• Blood makes up about 7 percent of your body’s weight.
• There are four types of transfusable products that can be derived from blood: red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Typically, two or three of these are produced from a unit of donated whole blood – hence each donation can help save up to three lives.
• Donors can give either whole blood or specific blood components only. The process of donating specific blood components – red cells, plasma or platelets – is called apheresis.
• One transfusion dose of platelets can be obtained through one apheresis donation of platelets or by combining the platelets derived from five whole blood donations.
• Donated platelets must be used within five days of collection.
• Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets. The body will replenish the elements given during a blood donation – some in a matter of hours and others in a matter of weeks.

Facts about donors

• The number one reason donors say they give blood is because they “want to help others.”
• Two most common reasons cited by people who don’t give blood are: “Never thought about it” and “I don’t like needles.”
• One donation can help save the lives of up to three people.
• If you began donating blood at age 18 and donated every 90 days until you reached 60, you would have donated 30 gallons of blood, potentially helping save more than 500 lives!
• Only 7 percent of people in India have O-negative blood type. O-negative blood type donors are universal donors as their blood can be given to people of all blood types.
• Type O-negative blood is needed in emergencies before the patient’s blood type is known and with newborns who need blood.
• Thirty-five percent of people have Type O (positive or negative) blood.
• 0.4 percent of people have AB-blood type. AB-type blood donors are universal donors of plasma, which is often used in emergencies, for newborns and for patients requiring massive transfusions.

There are four main blood types: A, B, AB and O.

In 1901, Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian physician, discovers the first three human blood groups. On his birthday i.e June 14th “World Blood Donors Day” celebrates. On October 1st ‘National Blood Donation Day’ celebrates in India.

WHAT TYPE ARE YOU?

Donating blood is a safe, simple, and rewarding experience that usually only takes 45-60 minutes.

Before You Donate

To donate blood, find a blood bank near you using AABB’s blood bank locator. Then, call the blood bank to make an appointment. When making the appointment, ask the following questions:

• What are your general donor requirements? (Most places require you to weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be at least 16 years old and be generally healthy).
• What kind of identification is required? (First-time donors are usually asked to present two forms of identification—the type of identification needed varies by facility).
• If you have any particular health concerns or have traveled outside of the country, it’s also a good idea to inform the blood bank at the time you are making your appointment.

When You Arrive at the Blood Donation Center

• When you sign in, you will be asked to complete a donor registration form, which includes your name, address, phone number, and various other types of demographic information.
• You will also be asked to show your donor card or the type of identification required by the particular blood bank you visit.

Pre-Donation Screening

• During pre-donation screening, a blood bank employee will ask you some questions about your health, lifestyle, and disease risk factors. All of this information is confidential.
• Next, an employee will perform a short health exam, taking your pulse, temperature and blood pressure.
• A drop of blood from your finger will also be tested to ensure that your blood iron level is sufficient for you to donate. All medical equipment used for this test, as well as during the donation process, is sterile, used only once and then disposed.

Blood Donation

• Once the pre-donation screening is finished, you will proceed to a donor bed where your arm will be cleaned with an antiseptic, and a professional will use a blood donation kit to draw blood from a vein in your arm. If you are allergic to iodine, be sure to tell the phlebotomist at this point.
• During the donation process, you will donate one unit of blood; this takes about six to ten minutes.

Post-Donation

• Following your donation, you will receive refreshments in the canteen area, where you can stay until you feel strong enough to leave.
• After donating, it is recommended that you increase your fluid intake for the next 24 to 48 hours; avoid strenuous physical exertion, heavy lifting or pulling with the donation arm for about five hours; and eat well balanced meals for the next 24 hours. After donating, smoking and alcohol consumption is not recommended
• Although donors seldom experience discomfort after donating, if you feel light-headed, lie down until the feeling passes. If some bleeding occurs after removal of the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm for three to five minutes. If bruising or bleeding appears under the skin, apply a cold pack periodically to the bruised area during the first 24 hours, then warm, moist heat intermittently.
• If you have any questions concerning your donation or experience any unexpected problems, please call the center where you donated blood.

Blood donation is something that we all want to do but never get around to it either due to fear or a number of myths surrounding it. Here we attempt to bust some of the most common myths associated with blood donation.

Myth 1: Donating blood will hurt.

Fact: Blood donation does involve a needle prick, but it is not a painful procedure. It only involves momentary discomfort.

Myth 2: My health will deteriorate after donating blood.

Fact: This is not true. In fact, research has shown that donating blood reduces your chances of developing cardiovascular diseases and prevents excess iron from accumulating in the body.

A prior medical examination is performed to ascertain if the person is fit enough to donate blood. If your hemoglobin level is below 12.5 gm percent or if you are unfit due to any other reasons, you will not be allowed to donate blood.

Myth 3: I will become blood deficit after I donate blood.

Fact: Donating blood will not result in a deficit of blood. Blood volume returns to normal levels within 48 hours after blood donation. A healthy individual with good eating habits can donate blood four times a year with a gap of three months.

Myth 4: My blood type is common, so I do not need to donate blood as it will only serve as surplus.

Fact : There is a constant demand of all blood groups. Major surgeries, trauma etc require large amounts of blood. If your blood group is common, it means that there would be more number of people in need of your blood type.

Myth 5 : I will need to rest a day after I donate blood.

Fact : You can resume work or go back to your normal routine almost immediately after donating blood. However, you need to take care of the following:

Drink at least 10 -12 glasses of water and/or other liquids within 24 hours following blood donation. However, one needs to avoid alcohol for a day or two.

Avoid driving, prolonged exposure to the sun or smoking for three to four hours after blood donation.

Myth 6: Donating blood can lead to obesity.

Fact: Donating blood does not directly affect your body weight. Some people eat more than normal and avoid exercise after donation that may in turn lead to weight gain.

Myth 7: I suffer from high blood pressure, I can’t donate blood.

Fact: As long the blood pressure is below 180 mm/Hg systolic and 100 mm/Hg dialstolic at the time of your donation, you may give blood. Medications that you take for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.

Myth 8: I suffer from diabetes and cannot donate blood.

Fact: According to doctors, diabetics may donate blood as long as their sugar levels are within the permitted range and the other medical requirements are met.

Myth 9: I am too old to donate blood.

Fact: There is no longer an upper age limit for donation. As long as the prior medical examination states that you are fit and healthy, you can donate blood.

Myth 10: Donating blood may expose me to various infections such as HIV.

Fact: If you make sure that new needles are used and sterilization is maintained during the blood donation, there are no chances of being exposed to HIV or other infections.