Nothing is comparable to the preciousness of human blood. Blood is required for treatment of accidental injuries, burns, various types of surgical operations, diseases like Hemorrhagic, Anaemia, Leukaemia, Thalassemias & Haemolytic ailments. Unavailability of blood may cost lives. Hence importance of blood donation is tremendous. This is the greatest gift one can give to the fellow humans. Voluntary blood donations are savior of mankind. The 1st of October is observed as National Voluntary Blood Donation Day every year. Fear of needless, pains, sight of blood, future weakness, objection from elders, ignorance & illiteracy etc are all reasons for many people who are hesitant in donating blood. All these myths & misconceptions are to be removed. Blood collected from voluntary donors are stored at blood banks & it be readily made available to needed patients on replacement basis. All units of blood collected are tested for malaria, hepatitis B & C, VDRL & HIV. A blood donor has to meet the following criteria :- AGE- between 18 - 60 yrs, Body Weight - 45 kg & above, Pulse Rate - 60-100/min & regular, Blood Pressure - Systolic 100 - 140, Diastolic 70 - 100. Haemoglobin - Minimum 12.5 gm/100 ml of blood, Oral Temperature - Not exceeding 37.5OC. A person who is not feeling well, anaemic, pregnant or breast feeding, has heart disease, high or low B P, diabetes, taking antibiotics, immunised with live vaccines, being treated for malaria during last 3 months, received blood during the preceding 3 months, had major operations during last 6 months should not donate blood. A person can donate blood 168 times during his 18 - 60 yrs. Males & Females can donate blood for every 3 & 4 months respectively. All donated blood is recuperated within 21 days. Blood donation is a social responsibility. Today's donor may be tomorrow's recipient. Donate Blood save lives.
