Today is World Blood Donor Day. Medical student Gabrielle Grixti writes how your donation can help save somebody else.
Blood donations are vital. Without blood, a series of medical conditions would go untreated, and major medical procedures such as surgery would not be carried out. Trauma patients who’ve been victims of accidents would urgently need blood transfusions to survive.
The typical blood bag contains 475ml of blood that is processed into three products - red cell concentrate, plasma and platelets. So by making just one donation, you will be helping three patients!
As healthy adults, we all know we should be giving blood. However, statistics released by the NHS Give Blood campaign showed that young people were barely donating. According to their website (https://www.blood.co.uk/why-give-blood/) 81 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds have never donated blood. Thirty-five per cent of this age group admitted that they do not donate blood out of fear that it will be painful.
“The thought of the needle can be a bit scary, but it’s the most amazing feeling knowing you’ve helped save lives,” says Laura Anderson from ITV2’s Love Island. “You can consider this like taking a flu shot, but at the same time, potentially you can help at least three people by one whole blood donation,” Dr Gandhi from Mayo Clinic says.
There were times when a blood test was more painful than donating blood. You feel nothing more than a little prick in your arm
As a person who has been donating blood regularly ever since I turned 17, I can strongly vouch that this is all true. There were times when a blood test was more painful than donating blood. You feel nothing more than a little prick in your arm. Various people are also afraid of blood, and the nurses can easily sense that you are getting queasy. All you need to do is look away, or if it bothers you that much speak up, and they will hide the needle and blood from your sight with some gauze pads.
This fear, complimented by a lack of education, is what is causing an insufficiency in blood donation. Many people are also not sure if they can donate, based on some myths they may have heard about the blood donation process.
The National Blood Transfusion Unit have released a document (https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/nbts/Documents/Help%20Menu/Become%20a%20Donor.pdf) regarding the general process of donating blood.
Let me break it down:
• People from the age of 17 to 67 are allowed to donate blood.
• If you are under 18, you will need a signed parental consent form.
• New donors above 63 are not accepted.
• The minimum required weight is 50kg.
• Males may donate every three months.
• Menstruating females may donate every four months.
• After menopause, females may donate every three months.
• If you have done a tattoo or a piercing, you must allow for six months to pass before being able to donate.
• You can eat and drink before donating blood, and you actually need to drink a minimum of 500ml of water. Fatty food should be avoided as it will affect the quality of your blood.
• You are not allowed to donate blood if you have low haemoglobin levels, were recently sick or are taking certain medications. This puts your own health as well as the recipients’ health as risk.
• A medical check-up and questionnaire is carried out before you donate blood, where it is made sure you are eligible to donate.
• After you donate, you are advised to take it easy and not do any physical exertion or carry heavy weights.
Statics from the National Blood Transfusion Unit clearly show the rapid decrease in total donations. A large percentage of the Maltese population are eligible to donate blood, however this thought never even crosses their mind.
I hope that after reading this article, and perhaps doing some research and becoming a little bit more informed about how the blood donation process works, readers would consider becoming a blood donor.
All they need is their ID card and some free time. You never know when you, or someone close to you may need a blood transfusion, but by donating blood you will be making the difference between life and death for someone. Donate today!
For more information visit:
www.blood.gov.mt
E-mail: customercare.nbts@gov.mt
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bloodmalta
Blood Donation Centre, Guardamangia:
Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm, including public holidays.
Tel: 2123 4767/7930 7307
Reception: Tel: 2206 6201
Mater Dei Hospital:
Brown Wards ground floor,
Monday (for schedule visit website) from 2 to 7pm on a monthly basis
Gozo General Hospital, Outpatients Department:
On alternate Sundays 8am to 1pm and alternate Tuesdays from 1 to 5pm
Tel: 2210 6369