8 Reasons Why You Should Donate Blood

Regularly
Blood is essential to one’s survival, acting as a way for oxygen and
essential nutrients to reach different organs in the body. This is why
healthcare institutions are always in need of blood to give a lifeline to
patients with serious medical conditions or to nurse them back to health.
 
The Philippine Red Cross estimates that more than 2,000 blood
units [JAG1] are being transfused to patients all over the country every day.
You also cannot discount the possibility that someone you know might
need blood transfusion in the near future.
 
But did you know that patients aren’t the only ones benefiting from blood
donations? Donating blood regularly also presents a multitude of health
benefits for you—the donor.
 
Here are the top reasons why you should donate blood as part of your
health routine:

1. Free health checkup and pathology test

Before donating blood, you’ll need to undergo a medical check-up to make
sure that you’re healthy enough to be a donor. At the same time, this means
that you’ll know if you have potential health issues early on.
 
During the check-up, you’ll have to answer questions relating to your
medical history and undergo health screening procedures to check your
pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and blood count using a pathology test
—all these for free. This form of free medical test is definitely something
you must take advantage of.
 
2. Reduce the risk of heart and liver diseases
Iron overload happens when you follow an iron-rich diet, causing your
body’s iron levels to increase. This excess iron can constrict the blood
vessels in your heart and liver where it’s stored. As a result, you may be
prone to diseases affecting these organs such as liver cirrhosis and cancer,
as well as heart attacks.
 
As a blood donor, you’re able to get rid of 225 mg to 250 mg of iron, which
can significantly help prevent your body from iron overload.
 
3. Lower the risk of cancer
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute associates
iron reduction with lower cancer risk and mortality.
 
The study observed that patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD)—a
condition where blood doesn’t flow properly to the legs—who regularly
donated blood had a reduced risk of developing subsequent cancer than
those who did not.
 
Apart from this finding, the study also highlighted a couple of health issues:
 Iron accumulation heightens the risk of chronic diseases, including
colorectal cancer.
 Among women, cancer risk increases after menopause since their
body no longer has a way of eliminating excess iron.
Since donating blood regularly helps you balance the iron levels in your
body, your risk for various types of cancer becomes lower too.
 
4. Develop new blood cells
There are approximately 10 pints of blood in the body of an average adult.
When you donate blood, you only use about 1 pint of your blood supply.
 
Yet what’s even more amazing is the fact that your body has a way of
replacing the blood it has lost. In fact, your body only needs a couple of
days to make new, oxygen-rich blood cells.
 
5. Maintain your body weight
Every time you donate blood, you’re burning up to 650 calories of your body
fat. This is because your body must replenish your blood cells.
 
Although this calorie burn doesn’t mean that you should use blood
donation as a means to lose weight, it still supports the fact that there are
health benefits when you donate blood regularly.

 
6. Lower cholesterol level
When you donate blood, you’re also getting rid of excess amount of lipids
or fatty substances in your blood. This is important so that fat deposits
don’t accumulate in your arteries, lowering your cholesterol level and your
risk for heart disease.
 
7. Improve your mental wellbeing
The health benefits of donating blood don’t just relate to the physical
aspect. Psychologically speaking, choosing to be a blood donor can uplift
your human spirit, too.
 
Since humans are wired to feel a deep sense of satisfaction from being
able to help someone in need, knowing that your blood donation will be
used in emergencies and other medical procedures to save lives can add to
your sense of self-worth.
 
8. Save lives
Donating blood can be the highest form of humanitarian act. Without blood
donation, patients can’t undergo surgeries, recover from illnesses, or just
function on a daily basis. You may not be able to help cure someone from
life-threatening diseases like cancer, but you can definitely help someone
stay alive when you donate blood.
 
 
Donate Blood Today
Whenever you donate blood, you’re giving someone the opportunity to have
a new lease on life, not to mention that you’re also giving your overall
health a great boost.
 
Donating blood is a simple process, which only takes about an hour or two
of your time. Just go to blood donation centers, where medical
professionals will evaluate your eligibility to become a blood donor. The
main thing is for you to be healthy, and if you meet this requirement, you
can start donating blood every three (3) months.