Benefits of Blood donation

Though the use of donated blood is well known, public is not well aware of the advantages of blood donation to the blood donors themselves. The advantages include:

1. Revitalises blood in your body :
When a pint of blood is donated, the body immediately compensates by creating fresh blood by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red cells, white cells and platelets, thus revitalising your blood

2. Improves heart health :
Donating blood regularly improves one's cardio vasular health by reducing the iron content of the body, especially in males. It is seen to lower the risk for heart disease (even up to 88%) and stroke due to cardiovascular events (by 33%)

3. Other health benefits:
Donating blood on a regular basis can also improve fitness. Donating one pint of blood (450 ml) burns 650 calories in donor's body.
A definite co relation has also been identified between regular blood donation and reduced cancer risks

4. Psychological effects :
You have the satisfaction of having helped someone and have made a positive impact in many lives. You feel like a Hero when you know that a single pint of donated blood can save save up to 3 lives!

5. Free Health screening :
In addition to all of these benefits, a donor receives a free prior health screening plus mini blood test. There will be a Blood pressure check up, Haemoglobin level test and a physical check up. Blood is also tested for some major diseases (HIV, HBV, HCV etc) and the donor is immediately informed in strict confidentiality if any of these tests show positive results.