The Importance of Donating Blood

Have you ever thought, “why do I need to donate my blood to strangers?” Or did you already do it? With no reward other than feels like a good person or maybe some souvenirs, which not comparable to the feeling of literally weak. In this article, I will explain why do we need to donate our blood in the first place.

Based on WHO calculations, blood needs are fulfilled if 2% of the population donating their blood. It means, in Indonesia, it takes around 5.2 million bags of blood each year. However, based on Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI), only 92% of what needed was fulfilled.

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health, Oscar Primadi, said that the citizens have an important role in ensuring the availability of sufficient blood, while the government has the responsibility of facilitating the blood services, which carried out by blood transfusion units and direction banks at the hospital level.

There are 5 Reasons why you should donate your blood:
1. it is good for your health
(https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/HealthU/2019/12/22/what-causes-a-heart-attack-at-a-young-age/)

Donating your blood will reduce heart attacks and liver ailment. Those problems are caused by the iron overload in the body and donating blood help maintaining the iron level in the body.

2. Maintain weight
(https://www.thehealthy.com/weight-loss/maintaining-weight-loss/)

For those who are overweight, it is recommended to donate blood because regularly donating blood helps in weight loss and burn fat up to 650 calories.

3. Prevent Premature Aging
(https://www.vesttech.com/is-there-a-connection-between-our-gadgets-and-skin-aging/)

Stress is one of the reasons that trigger premature aging. Blood donation helps in reducing stress on your mind and body. It also keeps the skin tight and wrinkle-free.

4. Speeds up the healing process
(https://www.flushinghospital.org/newsletter/the-stages-of-wound-healing/)

The body tries to adjust to the loss of the red blood cells when we donate blood. These adjustments help in accelerating the wound healing process.

5. Live a longer life
(https://fingerlakes1.com/2018/11/21/8-secret-tips-to-live-a-longer-life/)

Blood donation is altruistic works and people who involve in altruistic work, have been proven to live a longer life. So, when you donating your blood, it is not only to save other’s life but also helps you to live longer and healthier.

Reference:

Astuti, I. (2019, June 24). Kebutuhan Darah di Indonesia Belum Terpenuhi . Retrieved from Media Indonesia: https://mediaindonesia.com/read/detail/242935-kebutuhan-darah-di-indonesia-belum-terpenuhi

Barbara M.Masser, K. M. (2008, July). The Psychology of Blood Donation: Current Research and Future Directions. Transfusion Medicine Reviews, 22(3), 215-233.

Makiyah, Arfatul (2016) Analisis Persepsi Masyarakat Terhadap Pentingnya    

Pengetahuan Donor Darah Bagi Kesehatan. Lentera: Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan dan Keperawatan, 1 (1). pp. 29-34. ISSN 2541-4119

Sofiatin, Y. (2019, September 17). Setetes darah Anda bisa selamatkan nyawa: 6 tahap menarik terkait keamanan donor darah . Retrieved from The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/setetes-darah-anda-bisa-selamatkan-nyawa-6-tahap-menarik-terkait-keamanan-donor-darah-123601

Staff, F. (2017, June 14). World Blood Donor Day: 13 Reasons why you should donate blood. Retrieved from Firstpost: https://www.firstpost.com/world/world-blood-donor-day-13-reasons-why-you-should-donate-blood-3583133.html