Blood Donation Day

The Importance of World Blood Donation Day
The world Blood donation day falls on June 14th The World Health Assembly honors Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel laureate who discovered the ABO blood group system, by declaring and celebrating his birthday as World Blood donation day. The importance of this day can never be underestimated because there are millions of people whose life has been saved due to the noble act of faceless blood donors. However, there is still a huge need to donate blood as many do not have access to safe blood in the times of their need.

How Blood Saves Life
Red Blood Cells are a prerequisite for surgery or after an accident to replace the blood volume and maintain the oxygen flow in the body. Similarly victims of burns, hemophilia and other patients of blood disorders require blood transfusion. Also, cancer stricken patients require blood donation to replace platelets lost in the process of chemotherapy which is a routine treatment for most types of cancer.

Donor Eligibility
The standard protocol for donor eligibility define the donor as being healthy adult at least 17 yrs old and at least weighing 110 pounds. Also, he or she should not have donated blood in the last eight weeks.The donation process itself ensures other aspects of the donor's health as each donor undergoes certain examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count (hemoglobin or hematocrit) are measured.

The Need for Regular Blood Donation
The donated blood is preserved and refrigerated in bags however its shelf life is not for long. That is why blood has to be collected on an ongoing basis and the supply has to be maintained. The Food and Drug Administration allows refrigerated blood to be stored up to 42 days for transfusion.

Blood Donation Theme for 2009
The global theme for 2009 aims at achieving cent percent voluntary donation of blood and blood components while laying stress on improving the safety and sufficiency of blood supply. As more and more nations achieve the goal of 100 per cent voluntary and non-remunerated blood donation, there is increasing understanding about the essential role of voluntary and regular donors. Not only are they the safest blood donors, they are also agents of of uninterrupted national blood supplies that can meet the needs of patients requiring blood and blood components.

Conclusion
This June make a pledge to be a regular donor. The process is simple and safe. Always remember that your act of blood donation can help save your friend, loved ones, relatives and at deeper levels is a also a self serving gesture in which all eligible should participate.