Health benefits of donating blood

Recent research has revealed that not only is giving blood good for those who need it, but it is beneficial to the health of regular donors as well. If you donate blood several times a year, you are likely in healthier shape than those who do not, and you have a reduced risk for several severe diseases.

Here are some of the benefits:

GET A FREE HEALTH CHECK

A health checklist is made every time someone donates blood, which means the donor will be able to find out if his/her blood pressure, pulse, and other vital signs are normal. The donor will know his/her blood type, and is screened for a number of diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). The donor is immediately informed in strict confidentiality if any of these tests show positive results.

IMPROVES HEART HEALTH

Donating blood improves your overall cardiovascular health. Increased levels of iron in the blood raises the chance of heart disease. Regularly donating blood helps men in particular to reduce the amount of iron in the blood. This can reduce the chance of heart attack by 88 per cent. Additionally, regular blood donation can lower the risk of severe cardiovascular events such as stroke by 33 per cent.

ENHANCES THE PRODUCTION OF NEW BLOOD CELLS

Immediately after donating blood, the body begins to replenish the lost blood. Within 48 hours, new cells are formed from the bone marrow and all of the red blood cells the donor loses during donation are completely replaced within one to two months. There-fore, donating blood helps to stimulate the production of new blood cells. This process of replenishment can help your body stay healthy and work more efficiently.

BURNS CALORIES

Donating blood on a regular basis can also improve fitness. Donating one pint of blood (450ml) burns 650 calories in the donor's body.

ENHANCES FEELING OF WELL-BEING IN ELDERLY Many elderly persons who are in good health have reported feeling invigorated and re-energised by giving blood on a regular basis.

REDUCES CANCER RISK

According to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, consistent blood donation is associated with lowered risks of cancers, including liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat cancers. Risk levels drop in correlation with how often participants donate blood.

SAVES LIVES

By donating blood, many lives are saved and hope is given to many whose situation may otherwise be hopeless. Blood donors give patients a second lease on life. Each donor can help to save three lives per year with giving quarterly donations.

BRINGS JOY TO MANY

When you donate blood, you impact not only the patient whose life may depend on your donation, but also all those who depend on that patient. The entire community will benefit from the spirit of generosity.

MORE VOLUNTARY DONORS NEEDED

Currently, Jamaica meets just over 50 per cent of the 60,000 units of blood it needs each year, so more voluntary blood donors are needed. Persons between ages 17 and 60 years, who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in relatively good health are eligible to giving blood. Donations can be made every three months at any of the National Blood Transfusion Service's collection centres across Jamaica.