Our blood is one of the most essential parts of our system. Without it, we cannot function. Needless to say, without our blood, we can no longer live. With this very high importance of our blood in our own life, normal people tend to think that we should keep it to ourselves, save it for our own use or make sure that we don’t spill even a minute drop of it.
However, our blood is not supposed to be treated that way. There are more, better and a lot beneficial ways on how we can maximize the use of our blood. The foremost way that we can use of our blood, aside from maintaining it in our body, is to donate it through recognized or authorized blood donation institutions.
To give or donate a blood is a very noble thing to do. It’s just like you are giving a part of you which will provide a second life to somebody else. Just think of the fact that in the US alone, there is one person who is in need of blood and the sad thing is there’s only 5% of the total US population who donates blood (The American Red Cross, 2008). Indeed, donating blood saves a life. We are assured that somebody will be given a second chance to enjoy life as it is. If we donate blood, we will find inner happiness and fulfillment in knowing that somebody has been saved.
To donate blood has also some health benefits. If you are to donate a blood, it means you are taking an allowable amount of blood from your system. It should be noted that our body has a way of replenishing in itself the exact amount of blood that was taken out. This is then healthy we are allowing the ‘old’ blood be taken out and have a fresher and sometimes ‘thicker’ blood in return. Aside from that, the two most healthful advantages of that a blood donor can get from donating his/her blood is being able to remove excess iron and lowering the risk of heart disease.
“Blood donation removes some of the excess iron which can cause free radical formation in the body. In fact, studies have shown that men who donate blood on a regular basis have a lower risk of heart disease. With heart disease being the number one cause of death in males, this is, indeed, an important health benefit of donating blood” (Leong, 2008).
Other authorized institutions give incentives to blood donors. Some provide some gift certificates, other offer minimal incentives like free parking or free childcare. Other blood banks even states that they will give priorities to those people who have donated a blood at times that they will be the one in need of blood transfusion (The American Red Cross, 2008).
But the most important benefit of donating blood is the feeling of happiness in knowing that you are doing the right thing. No one can condemn a person who is willing to give, for free and voluntarily, a part of himself. A blood donor can never be criticized with what he/she is doing because he/she is not helping somebody, the blood donor is in fact saving a life and that alone is beyond measure.
With all this being said, we now cannot deny the fact donating blood should be done. In fact, it people should be informed that donating blood can be done not just once, but on a regular basis, as long as we are assessed by healthcare practitioners that we are healthy enough to do it.
We now live in the time where our world is in great in a deep trial. There is economic problem everywhere. People’s health all over the world is being neglected. There is a great demand for blood donors not only in the US but also in almost, if not, all countries around the globe. Both the developed and underdeveloped nations are trying to find means and ways to cope with the ever increasing patients who are seeking blood from different blood banks. So why limit our capabilities to help?
Donating blood will not harm us in any way. If tested properly, our bodies and bodily function will not be negatively affected. The fact is by donating blood we are helping others while helping ourselves. As the common adage says, it is better to give than to receive. This goes the same in blood donation. Isn’t it better to be the one to donate a blood than be the one who is in need of it?
References
- Brown, T. 1998. “Strengthening Blood Systems In Africa: Progress Under PEPFAR and Remaining Challenges” AABB News. page 30″Directed Donation”. Mayo Clinic. “The Incredible Health Benefits of Donating Blood”. [online] Web.
- M. E. Brecher. 2005 AABB Technical Manual, fifteenth edition, Bethesda, MD: AABB, ISBN 1-56935-19607, p.98-103
- The American Red Cross. 2008. “Why Give?” [online]
- Wales PW, Lau W, Kim PC. 2001. “Directed blood donation in pediatric general surgery: Is it worth it?”. J. Pediatr. Surg. 36 (5): 722–5. doi:10.1053/jpsu.2001.22945. PMID 11329574.