company news about World Blood Donor Day 2022: Who Shouldn't Donate Blood

World Blood Donor Day 2022: Who Shouldn't Donate Blood

Significance and theme

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on 14 June. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation. It was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2004.

This year's theme is "Blood donation is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives", focusing on the urgency of increasing the number of donors.

Donated blood helps to treat and support people with chronic health conditions and complications. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance and urgency of blood donations has increased significantly. As the lack of donated blood becomes more of a concern, it is important to understand how you can help.

Who can't donate blood?

Although it is tempting to donate blood, it is important to be aware of the requirements set out by the World Health Organization. If blood is taken from someone who is unfit to donate, it can further deteriorate the health of the person to whom it is donated. It is therefore important to know who can or cannot donate blood.

Here are 10 reasons why you are not suitable to donate blood:

Donated blood recently

A donor is advised to donate blood only once in 2 months or 56 days. This is necessary for the good health and safety of the donor.

Pregnant

Pregnant people are not eligible to donate blood. Anemia is one of the most common deficiencies pregnant people might suffer from. Their risks of iron deficiency might increase post-donation.

New body piercings

If you have recently got any body piercings in the last 3 months, you may not be eligible to donate blood.

Fever or cold

If you have a fever or are suffering from a cold or flu, you may not be eligible to donate blood. However, you are encouraged to donate whenever you are doing better and are completely fit.

Fresh tattoos

Similar to body piercings, if you have gotten a tattoo in the last 3 months, you should refrain from donating blood.

Underweight

If you are underweight, I.e. if you are under 110 pounds/ 50 kgs, you are not encouraged to donate blood. In this case, it may be severely harmful to the donor to donate blood.

Age

Only people over the age of 17 are eligible to donate blood. As for the maximum age, there are no restrictions unless you are suffering from a chronic disease.

High or low bp

In case you have high blood pressure or low blood pressure, you may not be eligible to donate blood. People with low bp may feel unwell post-donation.

Tuberculosis

If you are suffering from active tuberculosis, you may not be fit to donate blood. Tuberculosis can easily travel from the donor's body to the receiver's blood.

AIDS

Similar to TB, AIDS can also transfer from the body of the donor to the receiver.

In conclusion, before you donate blood, you are encouraged to do proper research to identify whether or not you are fit to donate blood. These restrictions are necessary to ensure the blood transfusion is safe for the donor as well as the receiver and should not be taken lightly.