Globally, every three seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion !! 

Out of this 20% of recipients are children –and rest 80 % include Trauma and Emergencies, including  accident victims or patients undergoing a planned surgery. 

The fact remains that on an average 60% of the population are eligible to donate blood, but unfortunately less than 4% donate blood. This is mostly due to lack of awareness and also due insensitivity towards others' medical conditions.

A small needle prick and a little of your time could transform you into a superhero. Yes, by donating blood you’ll be saving up to three human lives each time you donate! 

Unfortunately, only a few understand this and even less actually take the effort to donate. 

In the Indian context it is even worse due to lack of awareness and illiteracy.

Blood donation has many health benefits also, which we will describe now: 

Advantages of Blood Donation

• You’ll get a mini-medical

You can donate blood only if you are fit enough to do so. Before every blood donation, you’ll get your iron (haemoglobin) level checked, and your blood pressure and pulse rate taken. This will be of great benefit to you. Any potential “red flags” could be discovered in the process. 

• Donating blood reduces your risk of heart disease and cholesterol

According to studies published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, blood donors are 33% less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease and 88% less likely to suffer a heart attack. 

How it happens 

The lowered health risks have to do with iron depletion. Iron has a significant impact on the body. High blood iron can cause a variety of symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, hardening of arteries, accelerated cholesterol oxidation, decreased libido and enlarged liver, to name a few. High levels of iron leads to free-radical damage in the body and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer as well. When donating blood, you are removing 225 mg to 250 mg of iron from your body, reducing your risk of health complications.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that those between the ages of 43 years and 61 years had fewer heart attacks and strokes when they had donated blood every six months.

But please remember if you choose to give blood, you should not abandon other methods recommended for improving your heart's health. 

• Donating blood burns calories

A one-time blood donation can burn up to 650 calories, as the body has to work to replenish itself. Although there are many benefits to donating blood just one time, the people who benefit from blood donations are regular donors. A donor can only give blood every 56 days.

• Feeling the joy of saving a human life

Every time you donate blood, you can help up to three or four recipients. According to Time.com, a study in the Journal of Health Psychology found that people who volunteered unselfishly had a significantly reduced risk of mortality than those who never volunteer. What a wonderful, unselfish gift to give!

Most people donate whole blood. After donation, your blood is separated into its components (red blood cells, platelets and plasma) for distribution to local hospitals – ready to save lives! Go on … donate blood today. Embrace a healthy habit, head over to your local blood centre and give the gift of life.

Our Beloved Swami has said, “ Whenever there is a need for blood donation, you should come forward to donate your blood. Thereby fulfill your obligation to your parents and society.” 

This being November, the month of our Beloved Swami’s Birthday, let us pledge to donate blood and give this gift of life to another human being.