An Annual Mega Blood Donation Camp has been organised by Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation alongwith its sister organizations Dilasa Medical Trust and Rehabilitation Center, Aniruddha Samarpan Pathak, Aniruddhas Academy of Disaster Management on Sunday 12th April 2009 from 9AM to 6PM at IES New English High School, Govt Colony, Bandra(E), Mumbai.
Some Myths and realities about Blood Donations
- Myth #1: Someone else will donate all the blood that's needed.
- Reality #1: If only it were true. The Annual blood requirement of Mumbai city itself is about 2.5 – 3 Lakhs of bottles. Thus by donating blood we can share this load and serve humanity.
- Myth #2: It hurts.
- Reality #2: Okay, maybe it does---a little. Far less than getting ears pierced, though, and only briefly. There may be a little sting when the needle is inserted, but there should be no pain during the donation. And remember that donating blood hurts a lot less than having someone you care about need blood and not get it because it's not there.
- Myth #3: I am too young/ too old/ unhealthy
- Reality #3: Any Male or Female within the age group of 18 and 60, weighing over 45 kg and having haemoglobin content more than 12.5 gm% is fit to donate blood.
- Myth #4: I may suffer from some harmful effects after donating blood donation
- Reality #4: Absolutely not, rather a donor after having given blood voluntarily gets a feeling of great pleasure, peace and bliss. Soon, within a period of 24 - 48 hours, the same amount of new blood gets formed in the body, which helps the donor in many ways. His own body resistance improves, the circulation improves, and he himself feels healthier than before.
- Myth #5: I may need a lot of rest after donating blood.
- Reality #5: You may need rest, preferably lying down, so that the amount of blood that has been donated soon gets poured into the circulation from the body pools in a natural way. You should take it easy for about 15 - 20 minutes.
- Myth #6: I may not be able to work after donating blood.
- Reality #6: Routine work is absolutely fine after the initial rest. Rigorous physical work should be avoided for a few hours.
- Myth #7: It may take too long for the body to replenish the blood
- Reality #7: The body replaces blood volume or plasma within 24 hours. Red cells need about four to eight weeks for complete replacement.
- Myth #8: I am/was suffering from some diseases, hence I cannot donate blood
Reality #8: You are right, you should enquire about specific diseases rather than assuming otherwise. Following is an incomplete list of diesases that prevent you from donating blood. Fever: You should not have suffered from fever for the past 15 days. Jaundice: You should not have your blood tested positive for AUSTRALIA ANTIGEN. Blood transmitted diseases: Like Syphilis, Malaria, Filaria etc. debar you from donating blood till you are treated and are free from them. Drugs: If you take drugs like Aspirin, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetics, hormones, corticosteroids etc., you are unfit to donate blood. AIDS: No person having HIV positive can be allowed to donate blood. - Myth #9: They ask embarrassing questions.
- Reality #9: Okay, some of the questions are personal, but they have to be. The screening personnel are very professional and are not judgmental. Their only goal is to ensure a safe blood supply for our patients and a safe donation experience for our donors.
Generally the donors are rejected due to lack of haemoglobin in blood. To increase the haemoglobin levels in blood, follow the below mentioned diet.
- Green Vegetables
- Sprouts
- Green peas, pumpkin, tomato
- Fruits and salads
- Sweets like murabba (Jam), and Khir
- ***Avoid tea***
Care to be taken prior to blood donation:
- Take a sound sleep at night
- Take your regular breakfast/meals
- Please do not take the medicines like homeopathic/ayurvedic medicines and tablets like crocin, Disprin, Combiflam unless necessary.