A drop of blood can save a life

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

- William James
American psychologist and philosopher

Blood donation, which was once an act of heroism for Anuj Madan, a Chartered Accountant based in Delhi, now has become an act of benevolence.

“I first donated blood around 10 years back,” says Anuj. “The blood donation camp was organized in our college. Back then, we donated blood to show that we all are tough fearless men.”

Donating blood is indeed a noble act. It can save a life, provided the blood is free from all infections.

Apart from transferring necessary substances to body cells, blood also acts as a carrier of some of the most fatal viruses. Viruses like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B (HVB) and Hepatitis C (HVC) find their way through body fluids, especially blood.

“Awareness and precautions,” points Dr. Anubha Grover, “can work wonders.”

Not only the donors, but also the doctors must never take chances, says Dr. Anubha, who runs a private medical clinic in Delhi.

While donating blood, the donors must make sure that the syringes used are new and disposable. Doctors in charge must wear gloves and follow basic hygiene.

The donated blood is screened for HIV, HVB, HVC, Malaria and Syphilis before it is transfused to the patient.

Blood transfusion is a medical treatment to replace blood or portions of the blood lost through injury, surgery or disease. It is needed if there is a significant blood loss or if the body cannot make or is losing an important component of blood. If unchecked, chances of infected blood entering the blood stream of the person been given blood, remain high.
“Probability of the donor getting infected with HIV is nil if the syringe used for taking blood is new,” says Dr. Anubha.

Although awareness about safe blood donations is on the rise, many people still shrink from coming forward for this generous cause, some out of fear, some out of delusion.

“I donate blood every six months,” says Anuj. “My friends feel that this is unhealthy and will make me anemic. But before taking blood, my haemoglobin is checked. Also, donated blood can be recovered within a few hours. I have even donated bone marrow. I am perfectly healthy,” he adds.

Most of the blood banks provide counselling for those who want it. “That clears a lot of doubts about blood donation,” says Dr. Anubha.

Dr. Saranya Narayan, medical director of Jeevan Blood Bank, Chennai, who handles several queries about blood donation every day, says, “They want to know about the right age for donating blood, whether their being vegetarians disqualifies them as fit for donating blood, and so on. We conduct various awareness camps across the city. People below the age of 18 can’t donate blood, still, we deliberately start these camps at the school level as these young children are the future donors.”

Anuj donates blood twice a year. From his hectic schedule, he takes out time for this kind cause, which saves lives of people whom he does not even know. A simple effort from a healthy individual can give a chance for another to live.