Blood is essential to one’s survival. It is a body fluid that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. The Philippine Red Cross estimates that more than 2,000 blood units [JAG1] are being transfused to patients all over the country every day. However, the task of recruiting voluntary blood donors remains a major challenge. Thus, July of every year is declared as the “Blood Donors Month” by former President Fidel V. Ramos per Proclamation No. 1021.
According to the Philippine Red Cross, whole blood donations are separated into components using a special equipment to generate one unit of red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Thus, one donation can help save three lives.
There’s no question as to the benefits of donating blood for those who need it. But did you know that blood donors also benefit from donating blood regularly?
5 reasons why you should donate blood:
1. Reduce the risk of heart and liver diseases- Iron overload can constrict the blood vessels in your heart and liver where it’s stored. As a result, you may be prone to diseases affecting these organs such as liver cirrhosis and cancer, as well as heart attacks. As a blood donor, you’re able to get rid of 225 mg to 250 mg of iron, which can help prevent your body from iron overload.
2. Lower the risk of cancer- A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute associates iron reduction with lower cancer risk and mortality. Since donating blood helps you balance the iron levels in your body, your risk for various types of cancer becomes lower too.
3. Develop new blood cells- There are approximately 10 pints of blood in the body of an average adult and when you donate blood, you only use 1 pint of your blood supply. When you donate blood, your body has a way to replace the blood it has lost, thus making new oxygen-rich blood cells.
4. Maintain your body weight- Every time you donate blood, you’re burning up to 650 calories of your body fat. This is because your body must replenish your blood cells.
5. Save lives- Without blood donations, patients can’t undergo surgeries, recover from illness, or just function on a daily basis. By donating blood, you can definitely help someone stay alive.
Donating blood only takes an hour or two of the donor’s time. This is just a short time for someone who is healthy compared to the patient who needs blood to be able to live. Always remember that whenever you donate blood, you are also giving another an opportunity to be saved and live.
Donate blood today and save lives.
AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot
Sources:
8 Reasons Why You Should Donate Blood Regularly from https://www.makatimed.net.ph/news-and-exhibits/news/reasons-why-you-should-donate-blood-regularly
DOH Promotes a culture of voluntary blood donation as vital measure on emergency preparedness nationwide from https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/10538#:~:text=July%20of%20every%20year%20is,Ramos%20per%20Proclamation%20No.
Give Blood: How to Donate from https://redcross.org.ph/give-blood/#:~:text=Blood%20Component%20Processing&text=Thus%2C%20one%20donation%20can%20help%20save%20three%20lives.
