ABOUT
BLOOD
About Blood
Blood means and includes whole human blood drawn from a donor & mixed with an anti-coagulant. At our blood centre, we draw 350ml of blood from donor. This is done in 30-45 minutes with minimum inconvenience to the donor.
Blood Types
The major types are O, A, B and AB. For a blood donation to be helpful to a patient, there has to be an appropriate match between the blood type of the donor and that of the recipient.
The Blood Donation Process
A single donor can save lives of three patients.
350ml blood is collected from each donor. The whole procedure requires 30 minutes.
The blood is then tested for various diseases to ensure its quality.
Blood donated is processed for component separation within 6 hours.
Components are separated in Packed Red Blood Cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma & Platelets.
Each component is transferred to individual bags to be stored in different refrigerators.
BLOOD COMPONENTS
Blood has four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. At Somaiya, we specialise in the storing:
- Packed RBC
- Random Donor Platelet
- Fresh Frozen Plasma
- Single Donor Platelets
- Whole Blood
WHY DONATE BLOOD?
Impressive health benefits of donating blood.
The Joy of Saving Human Lives
It is such a wonderful feeling being able to help doctors save human lives.There are no perfect substitutes for human blood. Every time you donate you can help up to 3 or 4 individual recipients.
Free Health Check-up
Before & after every blood donation a series of health check - ups are performed, totally free of cost. This will be of great benefit to you.
Healthy heart & liver
Regular blood donations help to keep the levels of iron in the body in check especially in males, thus reduces the risk of heart & liver ailments.
Burns Calories
One time blood donation helps you shed 650 Kcal. This can aid you in your body weight control measures.
Reduces the Risk of Cancer
High levels of iron have been implicated in cancer. Theoretically, donating blood frequently will reduce the risk of cancers.
New Blood Cells
After donation blood, the body work to replenish the blood loss. This stimulates the production of new blood cells & in turn helps in maintaining good health.
Myths vs Facts
MYTHDonating blood makes me feel low.
False. This isn’t true. After donation blood ,the body work to replenish the blood loss. This stimulates the production of new blood cells & in turn helps in maintaining good health.
MYTHOne is advised to take complete rest for a day after donating blood.
False. One can easily resume his or her normal day-to-day routine after donating blood.
MYTHBlood donation is a painful procedure.
False. Donating blood is not painful at all. One only feels a slight pinching sensation when the needle pricks the arms.
MYTHI should not donate blood frequently it will make my body weak.
False. A healthy person can donate blood four times a year with a minimum a 3 months gap between each blood donation.
MYTHCan donating blood make me feel stressed with episodes of severe headache and vomiting?
No, blood donation can not cause episodes of headache and vomiting if the blood pressure of the donor is within normal limits prior to donation.
MYTHI should not donate blood frequently; it will lower my body’s immunity level.
No, your body’s immunity level is not affected by blood donation.
MYTHDonating blood frequently can fluctuate my blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
No, the blood pressure and blood sugar levels do not fluctuate provided the pre-donation values are within normal limits. A diabetic patient on insulin cannot donate blood.
MYTHCan donating blood at frequent intervals make my body iron deficient?
No, a healthy individual with good eating habits can donate blood four times a year with a gap of three months. It doesn’t make anybody iron deficient.
MYTHBlood donation takes a lot of time.
False. The whole procedure of blood donation from the time of registration takes approximately half an hour.
MYTHI am a retired person; I think I am too old to donate blood.
Yes, a person above 65 years and below 18 years cannot donate blood.
MYTHI can not donate blood when I am fasting.
Yes, one should have had a good meal at least four hours before donation.
MYTHCan frequent visits to the hospital for donating blood cause some infection?
No, there is no fear of infection due to blood donation.
MYTHYou cannot be a blood donor if you are on any kind of medication.
Yes, a person on aspirin, antibiotics, anti-hypertensive, steroids, hormones, anticoagulants, on inhalers cannot donate blood.
MYTHA diabetic person can not donate blood.
Yes, diabetics on insulin are advised not to donate blood.
MYTHCan a pregnant lady donate blood?
No, pregnant women are not allowed to donate blood.
MYTHCan I donate blood, if I am nursing my baby/breastfeeding?
No, nursing mothers should not donate blood for at least six weeks after giving birth because donating blood affects the fluid level in the body and may also affect the milk supply.
MYTHCan I donate blood, if have consumed alcohol a day before?
No, it is not advisable to consume alcohol a day before donating blood.
MYTHCan I donate blood, if I smoke regularly?
Yes, but abstain from smoking one hour before and after donation.
MYTH
Regular blood donation may lead to obesity.
False. Donating blood does not affect your body weight. However some people, after blood donation, eat more food than normal and avoid exercise which may cause weight gain but it is not directly connected to blood donation.
