World Blood Donor Day: Few things to keep in mind before donating blood

Image credit: WHO

New Delhi: Every year, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on 14 June. The main goal of the event is to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products.

The day also serves as a time to thank unpaid blood donors and volunteers for their life-saving gifts of blood. It is a time to encourage young people to become new donors as well.

Blood is an important resource, both for planned treatments and urgent interventions. It can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life, and supports complex medical and surgical procedures.

Blood is also vital for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents, armed conflicts, etc.) and has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and perinatal care.

Blood donation is completely a safe process. In fact, one donation can help save the lives of up to three people.

But despite there being no harmful or even profound effects of blood donation on the body, there are a few precautions you need to take before donating blood. These include:

• Drinking extra water and fluids.
• Avoiding caffeinated beverages.
• Eating well to reduce the risk of reactions.
• Eating foods rich in iron is advisable.

This year's World Blood Donor Day campaign focuses on blood donation in emergencies. Hence, the slogan for the 2017 campaign is - 'What can you oo?', with the secondary message 'Give blood. Give now. Give often'.