by Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy
https://pixabay.com/photos/blood-blood-donation-medical-donor-5427229/
Sadly, the Covid crisis has had another unsuspected outcome. During the pandemic, blood donor numbers fell by 5%, resulting in 40,000 fewer donors than in the previous year. This is the smallest number of donors since the start of the 21st century.
So many patients rely on blood donations for survival. The 14th of June is World Blood Donor Day, a day for celebrating and thanking those who give the amazing gift of blood.
My lovely neighbour, aged 76, has just retired as a donor after giving 70 pints in her lifetime. She is fit and well with no medical problems except osteoarthritis – which happens to us all – and is otherwise, a shining example of how to age healthily. So, I’m curious.
- Who can be a blood donor?
- What are the benefits of becoming a blood donor?
- Are there any risks?
Read on and find out.
Who can be a blood donor?
You can give blood if you are
- Fit and healthy
- Aged between 17 and 66 ( or aged over 70 if you have given blood before)
- Weigh between 7 stone 12 pounds (50 Kg) and 25 stone (158 Kg)
Medical reasons that may affect your ability to give blood include –
- Some medical conditions, hospital treatment, or some types of medication
- Foreign travel
- After having had tattoos or body piercings
- During pregnancy and for a short time after childbirth
- If you have had cancer treatment
- If you feel unwell, or have any current signs of infection
- If you have had any blood transfusions, blood products, or organ donation
- If you have had sex with a new partner in the past 3 months even if you have used a condom
What are the benefits of becoming a blood donor?
I was fascinated to discover on researching this article that there are indeed health benefits for the blood donor, which appear to be linked to the act of regularly giving blood.
Here they are –
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Giving blood lowers mortality risk
A huge, 2007 Swedish study, included 1,110,329 blood donors, who were followed for up to 35 years. Those who gave blood had a 30% reduction in mortality and a 4% reduction in the incidence of cancer, as compared to the standard statistics for the rest of the population.
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Giving blood may be helpful in preventing a heart attack or stroke
Another, large, 2019 Dutch study recruited 159 934 regular blood donors and followed them up for 10 years. The results showed a 9% reduction in cardiovascular disease in women who gave high-frequency blood donations. Although some have suggested those who give blood are likely to be a healthier subset of the population anyway, but statistical analysis suggested this was not the underlying cause
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Giving blood may help lower blood pressure
A 2019 study published in the journal Transfusion reported a significant reduction in blood pressure among 292 hypertensive blood donors, after 4 donations. Those with stage 2 hypertension – blood pressure 160/100 or greater – were found to have the most dramatic results, with an average fall of 17.1 mm Hg systolic (upper reading) and 11.7 mm Hg diastolic (lower reading).
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Giving blood can stimulate antioxidant activity
In a 2016 research study, 92 volunteers had blood tests taken before and after donating blood. Results showed that after blood donation, levels of the inflammatory markers pentraxon-3 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were significantly reduced. Levels of superoxide dismutase – an enzyme involved in the destruction of free radicals – plus nitric oxide – a molecule with an anti-inflammatory effect – were both significantly increased.
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Giving blood can result in better mental health
In a 2008 study, 109 blood donors and 110 controls not giving blood completed mental health questionnaires. The donors reported positive, negative and mixed emotions in 26.5%, 23.5% and 17.6%, of case, respectively. Positive effects included feeling satisfied, happy, and proud. Donors were found to have significantly improved mood compared to controls and have higher levels of relaxation. Overall, donors demonstrated better well being than the non donor control group, although the donors did find the first time donation visit stressful.
Are there any risks?
Giving blood is actually extremely straightforward and has no major health risks.
- No risk of infection – You are highly unlikely to contract a serious infection from giving blood as only sterile equipment is used.
- Minimal pain – Inserting the needle to take the blood can be painful, but once the cannula is in place, the process of removing the blood is painless.
- Mild bruising – This is usually minor only and can be treated by applying an ice pack to the area.
- Bleeding – This is usually minimal. A pressure dressing is applied to the site which should be left in place for 4-5 hours.
- Fainting – Quote commonly people feel a bit weak, dizzy, and lightheaded after giving blood, but a full blown faint is uncommon. You can reduce the risk of fainting by eating and drinking before your donation, getting a good night’s sleep the night before, and rehydrating well afterwards.
- Time needed – It takes about one hour and fifteen minutes to give the blood. In fact, the blood donation only takes 10 minutes – the rest of the time is the paperwork, assessment, and rest and recuperation afterwards.
Final thoughts
NHS Blood and Transplants needs to obtain 1.6 million units of blood every year. This means they need 200,000 new donors every year. Could this be you? We are living through very hard times. Being kind has so many benefits – for the recipient, but also for yourself. I was amazed to see the potential health benefits from giving blood that I had never appreciated.
Where to find out more
Find out more about how to become a UK blood donor at NHS Blood and Transplant
Being a blood donor saves lives.
- Could you save a life by becoming a blood donor today?