Good for the giver, good for the receiver: reasons for donating blood
- Sabrina Wertzner
- 14 de jun. de 2017
- 2 min de leitura
June 14th is the World Volunteer Blood Donor Day. Since 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) has instituted this day to honor all of us, ordinary citizens and heroes, who help save lives on a daily basis.
Not coincidentally, today is also the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, Nobel Prize (1930) for the discovery of the ABO blood group system, for the classification of blood groups and the RH factor. That way, Landsteiner has proven why some people die after blood transfusions and others do not.
Good for the giver, good for the receiver: reasons for donating blood
By donating blood, there is a temporary reduction in the amount of iron in the body, which causes people to have lower risks of developing heart disease: Salonen et al. (1998) found that donors are at reduced risk in 88% of acute myocardial infarction.
Again, with iron reduction, Zacharski et al (2008) reported that donation of blood was associated with lower risk of cancer and mortality.
Houschyar et al (2012) found that blood donation could potentially help obese patients with metabolic syndrome by reducing blood pressure, along with reducing the risk of heart disease, referred to in item 1.
Recent findings by Yunce et al. (2016) suggest that donating blood removes oxidants and decreases oxidative stress by elevating antioxidant enzyme such as superoxide dismutase.
With all the blood collected, more than 4.5 million lives are saved annually.
A single unit of blood can benefit several patients: separation of the various components of the blood allows the targeting of the portion to a specific treatment.
How to donate blood?
If you are between 16 and 69 years old and weigh at least 50 kg, go to a hemocenter in your city.
Be rested and fed (but avoid fatty foods in the 4 hours before giving).
Present an original document with a recent photo that allows identification.
How often can I donate?
Men: every 60 days (a maximum of 04 donations every 12 months).
Women: every 90 days (a maximum of 03 donations every 12 months).
WIKIPEDIA. Karl Landsteiner. Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Landsteiner>. Accessed on: 24 May 2017.
YUNCE, Muharrem et al. One more health benefit of blood donation: reduces acute-phase reactants, oxidants and increases antioxidant capacity. Journal Of Basic And Clinical Physiology And Pharmacology, [s.l.], v. 27, n. 6, p.1-5, 1 Jan. 2016. Walter de Gruyter GmbH. Http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2015-0111.
Secretary of State for Health. 97 blood collection stations in the State. Available at: <www.portaldenoticias.saude.sp.gov.br>. Accessed on: 23 Jan. 2017.
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