Donating Blood

Why should you donate Blood and How will it be used?

One of the greatest reason that I can think to donate blood is to give the gift of life to another person. While the rest
can always find things to differ about, we all run on blood. No one knows when you will need blood. Stories of Blood donation are one and many in number to go through them here. so instead of that let me share with you what happens with all that blood donated.

All the Blood that is collected almost is never used in its whole form. Most patients requiring blood transfusions only
need one or two of the many components that make up blood. It would be wasteful and sometimes harmful to give the patient blood components they do not need.

More than 99% of the whole blood collected is separated into blood components that can be used to treat the specific medical needs.
Below are some of the products derived from whole blood:

Red blood cells are a part of the Human blood that carry oxygen and are needed by patients undergoing surgery
or to treat those with anemia.

Platelets are delicate blood cells that are an important part of the body’s clotting system. They are control bleeding in the course of treatment of leukemia and other forms of cancer. In fact when you cut yourself, it is the same Platelets that clot the
blood flow and minimize blood loss.

Plasma is the yellow liquid portion of blood. It restores fluid volume in patients who have suffered from
shock and provides a source of clotting proteins that stop bleeding. We are still in the stages of understanding the full impact of plasma. Eastern medicine has a rather unique name for plasma.

Cryoprecipitate is a part of plasma that contains certain clotting factors found in whole blood. It is used to treat clotting deficiencies similar to ones found in hemophilia..

You see, you do not have to worry that the blood you donate will go wasted. There is just way too much need for healthy
blood than its availability. It is not only morally good to donate blood but also health wise it is a good idea. Since your body runs on an optimal level of blood which is reduced when you donate, is replenished within about 48 hours. This acts like fresh water entering a tank of fish ( trying to use a metaphor) giving it fresh energy.

So you see donating Blood is Win/Win/Win situation for You/ The Receiver/ Your Body.

So contact your local blood bank today and set up a date for blood donation.