제 13 호 Blood Donation - Only Humans Can Give
Kicker: SOCIETY (BLOOD DONATION)
Blood Donation - Only Humans Can Give
Truth about Blood Donation and Benefits
By Sol-Hyang Park, Editor-in-chief
While attending school or serving in the Korean military, you may have experienced blood donation at once, if your body is adequate. Especially in winter, there are many news or blood donation events that urge blood donation. In recent years, the problem of lack of blood donation has become more serious in the corona era. When you think of giving your blood, you may be afraid or scared of health concerns, and think there is nothing good. I would like to solve the misunderstanding about this and introduce the benefits of blood donation that people don’t know well.
A Serious Blood Donation Crisis
No matter how advanced medical technology is, blood is still irreplaceable. This is why blood donation is the only means of saving the lives of patients who need blood transfusions. However, as we can see in the graph above, the blood donation population and rate has been decresing over the years - the resulting blood supply crisis has continued. In addition, since 2020, the blood supply crisis has been prolonged as the number of blood donors has dropped sharply due to COVID-19. According to the head of the Gangnam Blood Donation Center, the number of blood donors has decreased by about 30% overall since the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Reason for the Low Blood Donation Rate
Among several factors responsible for the decrease, one of the factors is indifference derived from the deepened individualism. It is not easy to think about other’s health in a situation where people are busy taking care of themselves and do not take good care of their health due to a lot of stress caused by work or human relationships. People would be rather interested in finding exercises or hobbies to improve themselves. Moreover, it does not seem to be particularly beneficial to donate blood, so people don't feel the need to donate blood. Like this, the blood shortage proves that self-sacrifice and community consciousness are weakening more than before. Of course, some are unable to donate blood because of their health conditions such as anemia. However, despite the possibility of donating blood, many people are afraid and reluctant to donate blood, thinking “My blood is leaked to the outside - it is a waste and will not be good for my health.”
Is Blood Donation Bad for Our Health?
There are many studies on the effects of blood donation on our health, and it is still ongoing. However, what is certain is that blood donation is encouraged worldwide since it does not adversely affect ordinary people's health.
Human red blood cells have an only 120 day lifespan, so blood is constantly destroyed and produced in the body whether or not we donate blood. Therefore, a small amount of blood lost by blood donation has little effect on human health. The following are major misunderstandings about blood donation. If you want to read more, visit the site. : https://www.bloodinfo.net/misunderstanding.do.
It strains your bone marrow and ages quickly? (x)
- Bone marrow is made as much as we lack blood. Rather, periodic blood donation improves the ability of bone marrow to produce blood. There is no study worldwide that indicates blood donation is related to aging.
It causes chronic anemia? (x)
-15% of the total blood volume is extra for emergencies. One blood donation (320ml / 400ml) does not strain your body. After one to two days, we recover enough for daily life.
Blood vessels get narrower? (x)
- The contraction of a blood vessel when a needle enters from the outside is just a reflection phenomenon.
That's the only time, and it recovers soon. There’s no relation at all.
Get infected with diseases such as COVID-19? (x)
-All instruments used for blood donation are aseptic and discarded after one use. There has been no infection by blood donated since February 1st, 2005.
Doctors don't donate blood? (x)
- The reason why some doctors cannot donate blood is that there is a high risk of infection in the medical field. Some who do not work in high-risk environments are free to donate blood.
Of course, since blood donation is definitely a loss of iron and moisture, sufficient rest is essential. For more information, please visit : https://www.bloodinfo.net/emi_bldqualify.do.
Donating Blood for “ME.”
You may think “Then, what is the good thing about blood donation?” Blood donation is definitely donating one's blood at no cost. However, blood donation is rather like one’s medical checkup that regularly take cares of oneself.
You can see the detail through the app "Red Connect."
You can check your overall health status through measurements every time you donate blood : hemoglobin, white blood cells and platelets, liver levels (ALT), and total proteins. It is possible to check whether there are blood-borne diseases like hepatitis B, C. You can see the information in detail through the blood donation app "Red Connect," officially operated by the Korean Red Cross.
Like this, if you donate blood regularly, you can check your health status for free periodically. Therefore, it is possible to pay more attention to your health care. Health begins with our concern of our bodies, so even some experts recommend donating blood as an opportunity for an interest in our bodies.
You can see the requests for the blood through the app "지정헌혈."
You may wonder if the blood you donated is really used preciously by someone in need. In this case, "designated blood donation" is recommended. Using the app “지정헌혈,” you can easily donate blood directly to specific patients who need specific blood. For more information, visit the site : https://linkedblood.com/.
Blood donation can not only save others, but also let us get medical checkups every time. Why don't you ease your reluctance and try blood donation? Whenever you donate blood, you will feel proud as you have never felt.
Sources :
https://www.bloodinfo.net/main.do
https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/21655771#home
https://www.news1.kr/articles/?4558672
https://www.index.go.kr/potal/main/EachDtlPageDetail.do?idx_cd=1450
