Blood donation is a noble humanitarian act.


Recently one of my friend underwent a major heart surgery in India/ Chennai

Hospitals expect Blood replenishment by Donors and when Appealed for Blood Donation, unknown persons volunteered to donate Blood




Hindu Dharma promotes donation to save a life, whatever sacrifices you have to make, that will be real dharm: those sacrifices will make you a pure soul or dharmatma. To save a life whatever one has to do that will be Dharma.

  • An ancestor of Shree Ram named as Maharaja Shibi sacrificed his whole body to save life of a bird.
  • Another ancestor of Shree Ram named as Raja Harish Chandra, who sold his own wife and children in open market just to save his promise (रघुकुल रीत सदा चली आयी, प्राण जाये पर वचन न जाये ).
  • In Mahabharata, Karna did donate his life saving armour to Indra.



World Blood Donor day is observed on June 14, every year.

57 countries collect 100% of their blood supply from voluntary, unpaid blood donors. In low-income countries, 65% of blood transfusions are given to children under five years of age.

This World Blood Donor Day, Dr Seema Sinha, Head - Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Noida, shares a few facts associated with blood donation.
Facts to be kept in mind Pre & Post Blood Donation:
Before Blood Donation:
• People between the ages of 18 years to 65 years can donate blood.
* In some countries national legislation permits 16–17 year-olds to donate provided that they fulfil the physical and hematological criteria required and that appropriate consent is obtained.
* In some countries, regular donors over the age of 65 may be accepted at the discretion of the responsible physician. The upper age limit in some countries are 60.

• The weight of the donor should be more than 45 kg.
• The pulse rate must be between 50 to 100/minutes without any irregularities.
• Body temperature should be normal and oral temperature should not exceed 37.5 degree Celsius.
• The blood pressure should be below 160 systolic and below 100 diastolic at the time of donation
• A prior medical examination should be performed to screen for disease and medication.
After Blood Donation:
• Blood volume returns to normal levels within 48 hours to 72 hours after blood donation
• Drink at least 10 -12 glasses of water within 24 hours
• Don't consume alcohol for 24 hours
• Avoid driving for two-to-three hours
• Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun
• Avoid smoking for three to four hours
Myths & Facts associated with Blood Donation
• Myth: Blood Donation is an exceedingly painful activity.
• Fact: Donating blood is not painful at all. One only feels a slight pinching sensation when the needle pricks the arms.
• Myth: You cannot donate blood more than once.
• Fact: A healthy person can donate blood four times a year with a minimum a 3 months gap between each blood donation.
• Myth: Blood donation induces weakness, headaches and vomiting.
• Fact: Blood donation cannot cause headache and vomiting if the blood pressure of the donor is within normal limits. To avoid vomiting, there should be one hour gap from the person's last meal
• Myth: I will get infected while donating blood
• Fact: Sterling is maintained at all step of blood donation and only disposable blood begs are used
• Myth: Giving blood is time consuming
• Fact: Actual donation process is around 10 - 15 minutes. Donors are kept waiting for 20 minutes post donation just to see the reaction, if occurred
Dr Kiran Dalal, Chief Dietician , Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad talks about the food to eat before and after donating blood.
Diet before donating Blood:
• Eat iron rich foods. For Example - Spinach
• Include foods which are rich in Vitamin C. For Example - Oranges
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid fatty foods for twenty -four hours before you donate blood.
• Eat a healthy meal before your donation.
Diet after donating Blood:
• Drinking plenty of liquids
• Eat foods rich in Folic Acid. For Example - Spinach
• Eat foods rich in Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin). For Example - Diary Products
• Eat foods rich in Vitamin B-6. For Example - Eggs
• Without iron, your body cannot maintain or produce healthy red blood cells. Therefore eating foods rich in vitamin C that increase absorption from plant sources of iron.
• Eating the right foods afterward can help replenish lost iron and vitamin stores.
There is lack of awareness about blood donation in India.





Source: business-standard