World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is noticed yearly on June 14, honouring Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who found the ABO blood group system. Acknowledged as one of many World Well being Group’s (WHO) International Public Well being Campaigns, WBDD goals to boost consciousness in regards to the significance of protected blood and blood merchandise whereas expressing gratitude to voluntary, unpaid blood donors for his or her life-saving contributions. Regardless of the important want for blood donations, there exists a big hole between demand and provide, with recruiting voluntary, non-remunerated donors being a serious problem worldwide.
Myths about blood donation you must cease believing
To bridge this hole, dispelling the myths and misconceptions surrounding blood donation by way of scientific info and public consciousness is essential.
Delusion 1: Blood donation results in weak point
Truth: In actuality, the physique recovers fully inside a day or two after blood donation. The truth is, the method truly stimulates the sooner manufacturing of recent cells, making it useful for one’s general well being.
Delusion 2: Donating blood is painful
Truth: Needles used for blood donation have tremendous sharp edges. The momentary discomfort a donor experiences is restricted to the needle prick throughout insertion, which lasts just a few seconds. The needle prick space on the arm sometimes heals inside one to 2 days of donating blood.
Additionally Learn: World Blood Donor Day: 6 varieties of people that ought to keep away from donating blood
Delusion 3: Blood donation is time consuming
Truth: The precise blood donation course of takes roughly 10 minutes. The whole process, together with filling out varieties and having fun with refreshments afterwards, normally takes not more than 45 minutes.
Delusion 4: Donors could contract infections like HIV and Covid throughout donation
Truth: Every blood donation employs new sterile baggage with connected needles, and the blood assortment is carried out following strict aseptic methods. Therefore, there is no such thing as a danger of contracting infections throughout the donation course of.
Delusion 5: Donors can donate blood solely annually
Truth: As per authorities tips, males can donate complete blood each three months, whereas females can donate each 4 months.
Delusion 6: Girls can’t donate blood
Truth: Any feminine with a haemoglobin stage larger than 12.5 grams per deciliter (gm/dl) can donate blood.
Additionally Learn: What you could know earlier than and after blood donation
Delusion 7: Donating blood weakens the immune system
Truth: The physique begins replenishing the blood instantly after donation, and research have proven that the immune system stays uncompromised. The lack of white blood cells throughout the course of is minimal and doesn’t considerably affect the immune system.
Delusion 8: Folks on treatment can’t donate blood
Truth: Whereas there are particular medicines which will preclude somebody from donating blood, usually, people taking treatment can nonetheless donate. In the course of the well being evaluation of potential donors, physicians will consider whether or not their medicines have an effect on their eligibility.

Delusion 9: I’m too outdated or younger to donate
Truth: Anybody who’s match and between the ages of 18 and 65 can donate blood.
Delusion 10: Frequent blood sorts are all the time in inventory, so I don’t must donate
Truth: Sustaining ample provides of blood is a perpetual problem as a result of quick shelf lifetime of blood merchandise. Sufferers are a illustration of the final inhabitants, due to this fact, widespread blood teams are steadily required. Subsequently, each blood donation counts and so does yours!