Blood donation: The Gift of Life

Concepts regarding blood donation

Eligibility
Compatibility

Health, ethical and legal issues that arise as a result of blood donation

Iv. Importance of blood donation

Blood donation: The Gift of Life

“It is with great honor that I am standing in front of you, ladies and gentlemen to address this very important topic of blood transfusion. I would like to discuss about the significance of donating blood. Saving a life is not easy but each one of you has ability to do that and make a difference in the lives of many who need it. Many of you are aware of a friend or even relative who has benefited from blood transfusion. In my case, one of my relatives was in dire need for blood and I live to thank the person who spent his or her time to donate it. Blood can be regarded as a magic portion that is able to restore life. Imagine, you have the potential to give a dying person back to life. Isn’t it great? Even with advancement in technology and various scientific discoveries we have achieved, it is sad that we don’t have what it takes to produce or even create blood. This means that human blood cannot be substituted with anything (Ehealthsurf, 2011).

I am going to address various clinical concepts regarding blood donation including eligibility, compatibility, health, ethical and legal issues that arise as a result of blood donation and most importantly, the importance of blood donation. Blood donors can be a source of hope for the dying cancer patients, accident victims to name but a few. If some one close was at the verge of death and you had the power to revive him or her, definitely you would do everything it takes to ensure they survive. If we carry this cross for these patients, then this would be a landmark in their lives and you will acquire satisfaction out of it. After explaining the need for a sufficient blood supply, the donation process, and benefits of giving blood I hope you will decide to save people’s lives by donating blood.

After the ABO blood grouping was invented by Karl Landsteener in 1901, blood donation has continued to be clinically used to save lives. In the past, various civilizations and religions donated blood but various complications arose due to limited knowledge regarding the donor and recipient’s compatibility and diseases such as hepatitis B. As the medical field advanced, screening for hepatitis B antigen, AIDs among other diseases, which makes blood donation safer for the recipient is possible (Pan American Health Organization, 2009). Blood donors could either be male or female if they are eighteen to fifty five years of age and over fifty kilograms in weight. Moreover, donors have to have normal pulse rate, blood pressure as well as body temperature. Eligible donors should not be suffering from or have a history of diseases as epilepsy, psychotic illness, cardiovascular diseases, cancer or suffering from STDs or hepatitis. Lactating and pregnant mothers are neither allowed to donate blood since they need the iron while postsurgical patients can only donate blood after six to twelve months after operation (Tay & Leng, 2010).

An individual can only give up to one unit of blood with regard to their weight and the amount withdrawn is replaced after twenty four hours while the cells and hemoglobin are replaced within two months. As a result, it is advisable to donate blood every three months to minimize any health risk. The blood taken from the donor is stored in sterilized bottles containing anticoagulants for nourishment of cells and most importantly, to avoid coagulation. This blood is then screened and tested for antibodies, infections, compatibility and blood grouping before it is given to a recipient. A unit of blood is separated into many components to be useful for different patients who need it in a process called fractionation (WHO, 2010).

Blood donation ranges from unpaid donors from people who voluntarily give out their blood. They have to give their consent. Donating blood is simple and you need to voluntarily walk in a health facility, and tell someone that you need to give blood. It takes less time and you just need to lay back and wait for the health practitioner to do the rest. This blood you have given can then be used to save many lives including those of women in delivery, in surgery, hemorrhages and those who have had disasters (WHO, 2009).

When all is said and done, why should you donate blood? Donating blood is not only advantageous to the recipient but also the donor as well. You should donate blood since there is not only a snack given afterword but also you can live to celebrate that you have saved a life. Charitable blood donations are crucial to save lives only possible when volunteer donors come forward. The American Red Cross ascertains that blood has limited shelf life and after forty two days, the stored blood is not safe for us. As a result, constant blood supply is needed and this is a big challenge to the health facilities. Healthy volunteers are thus required to ensure a steady supply of blood in these facilities for the sake of safeguarding lives since life is sacred. Surely, if any of you is awarded with the privilege of being healthy with ten to twelve pints of blood, then giving out just a pint would not harm even if you will fell a little pain. After all, your blood will be replaced immediately after donation. Currently, blood transfusion optimizes the single unit of blood you donate (WHO, 2010).

Nowadays, aphaeresis is done where blood is divided into its different constituents and after picking the required one, the rest is returned to the donor. Blood donors are relevant link to blood transfusion and without him or her, this would be impossible. According to the American Red cross, one blood donation can save three lives while each two seconds, a person in the U.S requires blood. By the way, by donating a single pint you burn approximately six hundred and fifty calories. Therefore, those in our midst who would like to shed some extra calories without having to work out should consider blood donation since it is not only safe but also saves life. The other day I read an article, which stated that one blood donation and I quote, “could offset 2 hamburgers, 3 donuts or 5 granola bars” which is one reason that should motivate you to donate blood. People in need of blood emerge from all ages and gender as well as different economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds. It is a noble gesture and extremely humanitarian to donate blood and the best way to express concern and love for mankind. Therefore, it should be the endeavor of every one of you to donate blood since “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something” (Williams, 2009).

References

Ehealthsurf (2011). Information & Importance of Blood Donation. Retrieved from http://ehealthsurf.com/common-conditions/general-diseases/1313-information-a- importance-of-blood-donation

Pan American Health Organization (2009). Eligibility for Blood Donation: Recommendations for Education and Selection of Prospective Blood Donors. Washington, DC: Pan American Health Org.

Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs279/en/index.html

Tay, C., & Leng, T. (2010). Biomedical Ethics and Medical Law in Blood Transfusion Practice. Singapore: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd.

Williams, M. S (2009). Donating Blood: Showing Affection or Coercion? – A Peek inside the Blood Industry. Ebook: GD Publishing.

World Health Organization (2010). Screening donated blood for transfusion-transmissible infections: recommendations. Washington, DC: World Health Organization.

World Health Organization (WHO) (2009). Blood safety and availability.