I vividly remember the first day I donated blood in High School. I had just turned 16 and was slightly above 50kgs. I was so excited, till this day I do not know why I was so happy.
I also passed out on the day because I went to bask in the sun right after. Well it was winter and freezing cold.
However, I have been consistent ever since with my 15th donation due already. Back then I always thought the person that gets my blood benefited the most but recently learnt that donating blood is also good for the donor.
It is helpful for the vital organs, and it reduces risk for chronic diseases such as cancer and stroke.
Here are more reasons on why you should donate blood:
- Reduce risk of heart attacks and liver ailment.
The risk of heart and liver related problem is caused by the iron overload in the body. Donating blood helps in maintaining the iron level in the body and thus reduce those risk.
- Lower the risk of cancer
Cancer is the most feared and deadly disease. Blood donation helps in lowering the risk of cancer. By donating blood regularly the iron level in the blood is balanced and the risk of cancer-related to the liver, lungs, and intestine gets lower.
- New blood cells
Once we donate blood, the body tries to restore the blood loss. This helps in the production of the new blood cells and maintain good health.
- Reduced risk of hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a disease that occurs due to increase in the absorption of iron by the body. Blood donation helps in reducing iron overload in the body and prevent Hemochromatosis.
- Maintain Weight
It is recommended to donate blood for those who are overweight. Regularly donating blood helps in weight loss and burn fat up to 650 calories.
- Helps prevent premature ageing.
While donating blood, you not only lose weight but it also helps in reducing stress. Stress is one of the reasons that triggers premature ageing. Blood donation helps in reducing stress on your mind and body. Also, keeps the skin tight and wrinkle-free.
- Speeds up healing process
The body tries to adjust to the loss of red blood the cells we donate blood, these adjustments also help in accelerating the wound healing process.
- Free Medical checkup
Every donor goes through a routine checkup prior to donation. Body temperature is checked along with blood pressure, hemoglobin and pulse. Blood is tested for 13 infectious disease like HIV, West Nile Virus, hepatitis B and C and Syphilis. It gives you a cost free quick look into your health.
- Live a longer life
The people who involve in the altruistic work have proven to live a longer life. Blood donation is altruistic works so it not only save lives of other but also helps you live longer and healthier.
- Psychological Upliftment
Beside all the healthy benefits that we obtain by donating blood, we also get the powerful benefit psychologically by helping the one in need.
- Save lives
Every time we donate one pint of blood it helps save three lives, so if we donate four times in a year we end up saving 12 lives. We don’t have to be a superhero to save someone, a simple act of donating blood can also save lives.
The 14th of June is World Blood Donor Day, it is not too late to save a life.
