#Heart Care Foundation of India dispels common myths about #Blood Donation

Heart Care Foundation of India dispels common myths about Blood Donation

New Delhi, June 14, 2016: The theme for this year’s World Blood Donation Day that happens to be today is ‘Blood connects us all’. On the occasion, National Health NGO, the Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) raised awareness about the importance of blood donation and dispelled common myths.

According to a 2012 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, only nine million units are collected annually, while the need is for 12 million units. Delhi NCR alone faces a shortage of 1,00,000 units per year.

Speaking about the same, Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA said, “There are various myths associated with blood donation that often prevent people from donating blood. It is important to raise awareness about the benefits of blood donation on a person’s health and its importance in helping save lives. Some common myths include the fear of catching diseases, running out of blood, developing iron deficiency and age, class and caste restrictions to donating blood. Blood donation is safe, beneficial and each and every healthy individual must be encouraged to donate blood at least once every year.”

Common myths and facts about blood donation include:

Myth: Blood donation is a painful procedure.

Fact: The pain experienced is no more than a needle prick.

Myth: HIV or other infections can be contracted from donating blood.

Fact: A clear procedure exists for taking blood from each donor. Sterility is maintained at all steps. A sterile, new needle is used for each donation and is then properly discarded. Use of sterile equipment and technique limits the chance of infection.

 

Myth: Donating blood frequently will make my body weak.

Fact: A healthy person can donate blood four times a year with a minimum a 3 months’ gap between each blood donation.

Myth: Giving blood is time consuming.

Fact: The time taken for a single donation session is normally not more than an hour or so.

 

Myth: Donating blood at frequent intervals make my body iron deficient

Fact: No, a healthy individual with good eating habits can donate blood at regular intervals and this does not make them iron deficient.

 

Myth: If I donate blood, my body may run out of blood in the long run

Fact: Only about 350-450ml of blood is taken during a donation session. There is enough blood in the body to donate it without any ill effects. The body makes new blood after donation.

 

Myth: Age is a deterrent to blood donation.

Fact: Anyone between 18 until the age of 60 who is fit and healthy can give blood.

 

Myth: Heavy people are healthier and have more blood give.

Fact: Being overweight makes people less healthy. Overweight people do not have more blood.

 

Myth: Health deteriorates after donating blood.

Fact: If you are healthy prior to donation, your recovery is complete in a day or two. It is advised to rest a while after donating. Drinking enough liquids replaces the lost fluid within a couple of hours. The body produces new cells faster after a donation. All the RBCs are replaced within 3-4 days and WBCs within 3 weeks.

 

Myth: you cannot take part in sports or other physical activities after donating blood.

Fact: Giving blood does not interfere with ability to perform physically.

 

Myth: When there is a requirement, blood can be manufactured.

Fact: Blood is not something that can be manufactured. It can only come from healthy human beings.

 

Myth: Religion and caste are key factors to keep in mind while donating blood

Fact: Race and caste have no bearing on eligibility being a blood donor. It is the blood type and group that is of importance.

-Ends –

About Heart Care Foundation of India

Initiated in 1986, the Heart Care Foundation of India is a leading National NGO working in the field of creating mass health awareness among people from all walks of life and providing solutions for India’s everyday healthcare needs. The NGO uses consumer-based entertainment modules to impart health education and increase awareness amongst people. A leading example of this is the Perfect Health Mela, an annual event started in 1993 that is attended by over 2-3 lakh people each year. The Mela showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars and check- ups, entertainment programs, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. In addition to this, the NGO conducts programs and camps to train people on the technique of hands only CPR through its CPR 10 mantra for revival after a sudden cardiac arrest. They currently hold three Limca book of world records for the maximum number of people trained in hands-only CPR in one go. Keeping article 21 of the Indian constitution in mind, which guarantees a person Right to Life, Heart Care Foundation of India has also recently initiated a project called the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund to ensure that no one dies of a heart disease just because they cannot afford treatment.