Benefits of regular blood donation

A small needle can prick you and transform you into a superhero. This could be because every time you donate blood, you save up to three human lives. And not just the person on the receiving end is benefitted, there are proven gains for the person donating blood. Here are some advantages of being a responsible and caring human.

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Donating blood is a very safe procedure and is not harmful to the donor. You will be assessed for your eligibility by a medical personnel before you can donate blood. The bare minimum requisite is a minimum 16 years of age weighing at least 50 kilograms.

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When you donate blood, your overall cardiovascular health improves. The iron levels in your blood may increase and raise your chances of getting a heart disease. Donating blood regularly keeps the iron levels in check. This can help reduce the chances of heart attack by as much as 88%. Additionally, regular blood donation can lower the risk of severe cardiovascular events such as stroke by 33%.

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With blood drawn, the donor’s body immediately starts replenishing the lost blood. The marrow produces new cells within 48 hours of donation and it takes only a month or two to completely replace the red blood cells lost during the donation.

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When you donate one pint of blood, which is equal to 450 ml, your body burns 650 calories. This is why, donating blood on a regular basis can also improve fitness. Regular blood donation has been reported to provide an invigorated and reenergized feeling in the elderly.

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Donate blood to lower your risk of developing cancer. Lower chances of getting various cancers, including that of liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat have been associated with consistent blood donation, reports by Miller-Keystone Blood Center. Risk levels drop in correlation with how often participants donate blood.

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When a person goes to donate blood, they are screened for various health problems prior to donation process. The health check-up consists of an HB level test, blood pressure check and a full body check-up. The test results also indicate if the donor suffers from some severe disease.

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When you donate blood, you impact not only the patient whose life may depend on your donation, but also all those who depend on that patient. The entire community will benefit from the spirit of generosity.

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