9 Blood donation Tales: The Truths you should know before donating

With approximately 200 million people in the country, a country like Nigeria needs an estimated 1.8 million units of blood per annum.

The national blood transfusion service confirmed that only 27% (500,000 units) of Nigeria's yearly blood needs is received from voluntary donors, leaving the country with a shortfall of 73.3%.

It is also quite unfortunate that only 10% of blood donors who are not donating to family or close friends choose to do so voluntarily without getting paid.

Believe it or not, there are still not enough donors who make active donations. Want to know what's a tale or the truth before you make a blood donation? Don't stop reading!

Tale: Blood is not needed since there are no emergencies, disasters or war

Truth: “Bleeding associated with pregnancy or childbirth; children suffering from severe anaemia as a result of malaria and malnutrition, individuals treating blood and bone marrow disorders or inherited disorders requires the use of blood and blood products.” WHO

Surgery, cancer treatment and long-term diseases are among medical reasons why an individual will need blood transfusion. You do not have to wait to be asked before you donate, your donated blood may be the reason one more life is saved.

Tale: Blood donation takes too much time and I do not have time

Truth: A pint of whole blood requires eight to ten minutes to donate. About one hour and 15 minutes is enough for the entire donation process although this time frame is subject to taking of donor health history and the hematology unit's screening process before donation is made.

Tale: Nobody needs my blood since I don't have a rare blood type

Truth: Whatever your blood type, your donation is appreciated, is highly valued and will make a life saving difference. As much as more donors are needed to keep the supply of common blood types consistent because more individuals need them, the reality is that your blood type is as well in short supply if it is less common since fewer donors are available to donate hence, making it very much needed.

Tale: Blood donation will make me sick

Truth: Blood donation won't make you less healthy if you are already healthy before you are bled. Although certain people complain feeling a little dizzy or tired right after or some moments following donation, the donor can be given food and drink to help with those symptoms. These said symptoms are usually transient and they go away on their own. Moreso, blood banks or hematology units adhere to tight guidelines to maintain the sterility of their equipment, and make a concerted effort to ensure the security of the donation procedure so the donor has absolutely nothing to worry about.

Tale: I cannot donate because of my tattoo or body piercing

Truth: If you are one who is selfless and desires to donate blood but also love self-expression with tattoos or piercings, you can be both selfless and expressive as much as possible. Most tattoo facilities are now licensed and regulated, they utilize disposable inks and sterilized needles when tattooing is done, making it safe to donate blood without having to wait for 3 months after tattoos were applied. However, the reverse is the case when the facility is neither being regulated nor licensed because the users of such facilities are at risk for blood borne infections such as hepatitis. Why wait for 3 months? The time frame is pertaining to worries regarding the ease with which hepatitis can be spread from donors to recipients of transfusions, if you have ever been diagnosed with hepatitis, you will not be allowed to donate blood.

Tale: I am too old to donate

Truth: Being old does not limit you from donating blood, although regular donors who are over 65 years may be permitted in certain nations only at the discretion of a competent physician according to WHO. However, some states mandate that donors be at least 17 years old. So there is nothing stopping you from donating blood if you are not less than 17 years of age. A country such as South Africa even has national laws that allows 16 to 17-year-olds to donate as long as they meet the necessary hematological and physical requirements and have the necessary approval, so you can donate even if you are not yet 17 as long as your national laws apply.

Tale: I thought blood can be preserved forever, I do not need to donate

Truth: Blood components are not stored forever because they have their expiration dates. Once the blood taken from you has been separated into the transfusable components such as red cells, platelets, and plasma, each component is further processed and stored as a separate “unit” used by the physician whenever the need arises. Refrigerators are used to store red cells for only upto 42 days at a temperature of 6°C, platelets are stored at room temperature for just 5 days while plasma can be frozen for up to a year. In essence, whole blood can only be stored for up to 35 days therefore resulting in the need for people to keep donating.

Tale: I take alcohol, they will not take my blood

Truth: You can consume a lot of non-alcoholic beverages in the 24 hours prior to and following blood donation. You will not be allowed to donate if you are under the influence of alcohol on the day of donation as well as if you had it during the evening or night before the donation day.

Tale: My blood pressure is high, it will be dangerous to my health if I donate blood

Truth: For the majority of adults, a blood pressure of within 100/60 mmHg and 120/90 mmHg is considered normal, it is said to be high if the values are above 120/90 mmHg. If your blood pressure (BP) is not elevated beyond 180/100 mmHg on the day you intend to make a donation, it is safe to donate even if you are on blood pressure medications. Having a blood pressure as high as the above stated value requires immediate attention of the health care provider. Donors who have high blood pressure or are on BP medications do have their blood pressure readings documented at each donation visit so as to identify deviation from baseline BP and ensure prompt intervention. Meanwhile, Most people with high blood pressure can donate blood without risk.

The act of donating blood is a voluntary process whereby an individual’s blood is extracted and either utilized for transfusions or separated for other biopharmaceuticals. The reasons for donations vary with different donors such as the desire to engage in charitable work, awareness of the need for blood, feeling more confident in oneself and lending a hand to a friend or relative. For whatever reason you have decided to donate blood, do not allow the myriad of tales to deter you from donating as much as you can in a year. You can make that life saving difference today.