World Blood Donor Day 14th June - Donating Blood While Active
Today, the 14th of June is World Blood Donor Day, celebrating 20 years of this campaign, the theme this year is appreciation for blood Donors - “Thank You Blood Donors!”
According to Who.int - The objectives of the campaign:
Thank and recognize the millions of voluntary blood donors who have contributed to the health and well-being of millions of people around the world.
Showcase the achievements and challenges of national blood programmes and share best practices and lessons learned.
Highlight the continuous need for regular, unpaid blood donation to achieve universal access to safe blood transfusion.
Promote a culture of regular blood donation among young people and the general public and increase the diversity and sustainability of the blood donor pool.
Giving Blood while Active
If you are a very active person and are looking to give blood, there are a few things to know;
If you are giving blood, it is advised to avoid any physical activity directly afterwards or later in the day (if you give blood in the morning). Give your body some time to recover and allow your heart to replenish the blood loss. Don’t put yourself under any unnecessary strain.
Additionally, it is highly recommended to avoid very strenuous activity for 48 hours. If you have an event, such as a marathon or triathlon, avoid giving blood for a couple of weeks before and after the event.
It can take 6 to 12 weeks for most people's hemoglobin levels, which carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissues, to return to normal. This is why it is advised to wait a minimum of 12 weeks between donations.
What to do after Donation
Keeping your body in a rested state is important as it gives it a chance to replenish the fluids lost during donation. Other things recommend to do include:
Drink plenty of water
Eat high iron foods e.g. Beans, nuts, red meat etc..
Eat foods high in Vitamin C e.g Citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli etc..
Side Effects
There are also a few side effects you may experience, important to be aware of them:
Nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness - This is quite common and usually occurs immediately after the donation due to a temporary decrease in blood volume.
Bruising - Some donors may notice bruising at the needle site, which can occur if blood leaks into the surrounding tissues.
Fatigue - Feeling tired or weak can happen because of the reduction in red blood cells.
Fainting - A small number of donors might faint, especially if they have not eaten or are dehydrated before donating.
Mild pain or discomfort - Some donors may feel pain or discomfort at the needle site during or after the donation.
These side effects are typically mild and temporary.
Donating blood is a wonderful act that saves lives, treats chronic conditions, helps in emergencies and natural disasters, supports cancer patients, enhances medical research, and more. If you are looking to give blood today or any day, you can find a list of clinics here - Find a Clinic.
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