What does it mean to be a blood donor?
Stories from Forte Group employees and simple tips for those who want to become a donor.
The importance of blood donation in worldwide healthcare can’t be overemphasized. According to a database from the National Institutes of Health, people donate over 100 million units of blood throughout the world every year.
Some interesting facts about blood donorship in the world:
- Every fourth person needs blood donation directly or indirectly.
- Blood donors have better cholesterol levels and less chance of cardiovascular diseases.
- One blood donor saves three patients. One donation provides three components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, if necessary, and can be used for three people.
Some of us are becoming blood donors as volunteers. Others face a situation when someone from their close social network needs help. For World Blood Donor Day, we caught up with Forte employees about their experience as blood donors and found inspiring stories of how people from our company felt a call from their hearts and have come forward to help others who needed it.
Finally, you’ll read a professional view from a medical advisor. She harvested basic recommendations on becoming a donor and the path of preparation.
The reason I decided to donate blood is very personal to me. My mom, who fought cancer for over 30 years, always required transfusions. While my blood type wasn’t the same as hers, I knew others out there fighting the same battle against cancer who could likely benefit from my blood donation.
Donating in the U.S. is very easy. Many organizations, such as the Red Cross, simplify the process. All appointments can be made online, and there are always many available time slots.
Preparation for blood donation didn’t require doing anything different in my situation. Maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and get a good night’s sleep. These are all part of my daily routine.
My first blood donor experience was in my native city of Sumy, Ukraine when I worked as a teacher at a university. Remember when I got the information that my friend needed a surgery and plasma donation for it.
In Sumy, we have a modern blood center, so I learned how to donate blood there and all requirements and told my colleagues and students about this situation. Also, I made a post on my social media with detailed information on how to help. Many people have responded and become blood donors for my friend. And the surgery was successful.
A few words about my impressions after the plasma donation procedure: It is not fearful. I prepared for it, and because of this, I feel good. Blood donation is worth our attention as it helps save people’s lives.
Blood donation in Argentina decreased markedly, to be precise, by 80% during the pandemic. While the number of donors has increased after 2020, there is still work to reach the 2,000,000 regular and voluntary donors.
I currently have a friend, Franco, who is suffering from an immunodeficiency disease and is undergoing his last stage of chemotherapy. He needed four donors to continue with the previous treatment step, as his white blood cells and platelets had decreased. So together with friends, we regularly donate blood to help Franco and everyone who needs it.
To encourage you to contribute regularly and voluntarily, I want to tell you about the procedure of donation:
- It is a procedure that does not last more than 15 minutes.
- It does not hurt and is safe, as there are professionals and institutions for this purpose.
- There are no adverse health effects, and if any physical discomfort occurs, doctors and nurses can treat you quickly.
- Remember that before going, you can have breakfast with tea or coffee, which is low in calories.
- After extraction, you need to drink a lot of water and eat properly, consuming salty and/or sweet foods, the much-loved junk food. No physical exercise, but you can work typically.
- Also, our country has the Blood Law, guaranteeing our rights as donors, law 22.990.
- You can make an appointment so you won’t be delayed.
- Once you arrive at the place, a professional performs the triage to make sure you enjoy good health.
- You fill out forms and affidavits.
- After that, you are ready to donate. As you will see, it is a simple and quick procedure.
You never know when you need the information about blood donation but a basic understanding will prepare us to react fast and be ready to help. Awareness is key.
Tetiana Mykhailova, a graduate of Ukrainian medical university and intern in Kyiv hospital, answers common questions and shares simple medical tips for people who are thinking about becoming a donor now or in the future.
1. What are the contraindications of donating blood? What illnesses can be barriers?
Blood donors can be people over 18 without health contraindications defined by the National Ministry of Health. You need to undergo medical examinations before donating blood to know if you have some problems which can be barriers.
You can’t be a blood donor if you:
- Are pregnant and have had surgery or infectious diseases in the past 12 months.
- Have vector-borne diseases (infectious diseases, tuberculosis, etc.) which can be transmitted.
- Have somatic diseases such as malignant neoplasms, respiratory or blood illnesses, digestive system diseases, liver and kidney disease, skin disease, etc.
- Had surgery in the past connected with amputation or organ transplantation
- Suffer from alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness.
2. What can’t you eat before donating blood? What does the morning before donating blood look like?
Some don’ts if you are preparing to donate blood:
- Take aspirin and analgesic one day before.
- Eat fat and fried meals one day earlier.
- Drink alcohol two days earlier.
- Smoke one hour before the procedure of donating blood.
Also, try to relax and get some sleep the night before.
3. What to do / not to do after blood donation?
Make these simple steps after extraction: drink sweet tea and plenty of fluids, relax, eat and sleep well in general.
4. How often is it recommended to donate blood?
Once a year no more than 450 ml (15 fl oz). If you have experience of more than five extractions, you can donate blood twice a year. Follow the recommendations of doctors.
More sources about blood donorship in Forte offices locations are listed below:
- Ukraine: donor.ua
- Poland: https://krwiodawcy.org/
- Belarus: http://blood.by/
- The US: https://americasblood.org/
- Argentina: https://fundacionbcsangre.org.ar/
- Colombia: https://www.cruzrojacolombiana.org/red-de-banco-de-sangre/
Remember that blood donation is essential for those people who need transfusions to continue living, but if you can’t donate, support others to do so. Donating blood saves lives. So go ahead!
