The other day, I saw a program on NHK about how few people come to donate blood even though they are encouraged to do so. It seems that an unexpectedly large number of young and healthy people have never been to a blood drive.
Some people want to donate blood but are unable to (due to some condition). However, I think there are many people who are “somewhat anxious ” or “a bit scared.
If that’s the case, it’s a waste!
There is nothing to be afraid of. There is nothing to be afraid of, and if you go, you will experience all kinds of joy. (Actually, I just went yesterday.)
I am not familiar with the term “merit” or “demerit” for the act of “helping human life,” but in this article, I will write about the merits of donating blood and whether or not there are any demerits.
I hope you will read this article if you have some resistance or uneasiness about donating blood.
I have written a separate article on how exactly blood donation takes place at a blood donation site, if you would like to read it.
What are the benefits of donating blood?
Let’s start with the benefits of donating blood.
(1) I can really feel that I am making a difference in someone’s life.
This is the biggest one forme.
I don’t have the financial means to donate blood, and I don’t have the time to volunteer. In such a situation, it is a great pleasure to feel that I am helping someone, and that I am helping “life.
There are other ways to directly help others, but I believe that donating blood is in a sense the easiest and least burdensome way to help others.
It gives me confidence to feel that I have value.
(2) Everyone involved says thank you.
When I go to donate blood, everyone from the Japanese Red Cross, doctors, and other staff say, “Thank you very much.
It is not often that people thank you so much in everyday life. It makes me feel really warm and grateful.
3) I can check my body with the postcard they send me later.
I have never had a blood test only done at a hospital, but I hear that it costs nearly 10,000 yen just for that.
When I think about it, I am very grateful that I can have a blood test done for free and get some readings on my body condition.
Items tobe notified: blood type, red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts, cholesterol, GPT, GOT, γ-GTP, etc.
Items to be notified when abnormalities are detected: hepatitis B and C viruses, syphilis, HTLV-1
(It is strictly prohibited for people with concerns about AIDS infection to donate blood for such tests).
Regarding postcards, as of 2015 when I first wrote the article, that was true, but as of 2023, postcards are basically gone and are now found on the Internet. In terms of content, it is almost the same, so the fact that you know what your body is doing will not change.
4) You can get souvenirs (*^^*)
When you go to a blood donation, you can get various souvenirs. I received two packs of eggs (20 eggs), sports drinks, tea, tissue paper, etc. yesterday.
At permanent blood donation rooms, you can have all the snacks and juice you want.
(5) Accumulate blood donation points
In Hiroshima Prefecture, there is a “blood donation point card” issued by the Hiroshima Red Cross Blood Center.
It seems that for every 10 points accumulated, a small gift is given. (They don’t seem to be actively doing this, and there is no mention of it on their official website…lol)
Today I donated 400ml of blood and received 3 points.
Maybe it depends on the prefecture, but as of 2023, there are no more blood donation points in Hiroshima Prefecture. I will leave this article as it is for the time being.
There are rumors that donating blood produces fresh blood in the body, which is good for beauty and health, but this has no basis in fact.
What are the disadvantages and cautions of donating blood?
What are the disadvantages of donating blood? There are no particular disadvantages to donating blood.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Cautions during blood collection
During blood collection, you may experience a drop in blood pressure and feel sick (about 1 in 100 people). In the unlikely event that you become ill, stop and seek medical attention immediately.
Precautions immediately after and on the day of blood donation
Immediately after donating blood, in rare cases, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded due to a drop in blood pressure. There is also a possibility of bleeding if the needle mark is not properly closed. These are some of the precautions to take after donating blood.
A “Request after Blood Donation” with these precautions is placed at each table, and the nurse will ask you to read it.
It is a good idea to give this information as it is. The following are some of the things we would like you to do.
What I want you to do
- Rest slowly (10-15 minutes)
- Drink plenty of water.
Things to keep in mind
- Driving: Rest well and make sure that the bleeding has stopped before driving.
- Sports/ Avoid strenuous exercise on the day of blood donation.
- Be careful when using elevators, stairs, etc. (e.g., unsteadiness)
- Heavy labor/ Avoid heavy lifting or exerting excessive force.
- Do not rub or rub hard after needle insertion
- Bathing/ Avoid taking a bath within 2 hours, avoid sauna on the same day
- Smoking and drinking/avoid for about 1 hour after blood donation
Also, although it is very rare (about 1 in 10,000), some people are left with numbness.
Then, although this is also different from a disadvantage, some people say it hurts because the injection needle is thicker than a normal needle.
However, I thought it was less painful yesterday than before. It is not so different from the pain of a normal injection. I think it is due to the skill of the nurses, but I also think that the needles have been improved.
These are some of the precautions I have taken.
There are cases where it is not possible to go and donate blood.
Now that you have read about the advantages and disadvantages of donating blood, have you decided to try it? (*^^*) (*^^*)
Yes, we would like you to go!
But…
Basically, if you are healthy, you can donate blood! However, in order to protect both the safety of the blood collected and the health of the blood donor, there are many checkpoints such as age, blood concentration, medications, dental treatment, travel history, and many others.
It would be a shame if you go to a blood donation center with the best of intentions but are unable to donate blood because you are caught in one of these checkpoints. Please do your research and be careful.
As a matter of fact, I am one of those who have experienced being unable to donate blood.
I have written an article about that time and the conditions under which you can donate blood, so please refer to it if you like.
I wrote about component blood donation in this article.
Although there are certainly conditions under which you cannot donate blood, it is a social contribution that many healthy people can make.
Above all, it is a great feeling to be able to help someone in need.
We hope you will try it too!
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