“Take a leave tomorrow.” Said my colleague Sandeep.
“Why?” I asked.
“Ok, then come late to the office tomorrow.”
“There is no need. I will see when I get free from there and come accordingly.”
Sandeep gave me a confused and little bit worried look. “nahin yaar, weakness hoti hai.”
“WHAT?” “NAHIN HOTI”
Sandeep’s friend’s father’s diabetic foot had to be amputated and 8 units of blood were required for the procedure. So the friend contacted Sandeep and he circulated in the office. I agreed to go and Sandeep didn’t. I had to go for the replacement donation because the hospital wouldn’t release the blood units and asked the family members to arrange for the replacement units.
This was my third attempt at blood donation. On previous two occasions I had donated blood at voluntary blood donation camps. On another occasion I donated blood platelets too once. This is not just about Sandeep. Most of us dread to the very idea of donating blood.
All I would like to say is “Achcha lagta hai. KOI kamzori NAHIN hoti.”
Now some facts:-
·Blood can not be manufactured. It can come from donation only.
·Every year 4 crore units are required (in India) of which only 40 lakh are available. Rest all comes from replacement donation.Many people die due to lack of blood.
·Any fit person between 18-60 years of age can donate.
·Thalassemia patients need blood all through life. Many units are required for accident victims, burn, cancer, transplant patients & Heart Surgeries.
·One unit of blood donated can help save three lives. The blood bank Segregates blood into three components i.e. platelets, plasma & red blood cells (actual blood).These are then infused into three different persons.
·“O” blood group & “AB” Plasma can be given to anybody and are always short in supply. One can donate blood every 3 months, Platelets every week and blood plasma every 48 hours.Blood donation takes 15-20 minutes and platelet and plasma donation an hour or more.
Some blood donating idead:
·Be a regular donor, donate every 3 months.
·Donate on your birthday or any special occasion in family.
·Donate on your wedding anniversary with your spouse too.
·Spread the general awareness among people
·Take other people along with you to blood bank when you go.
·If you catch a sight of voluntary donation camp, just go for it.
So feel very, very proud of yourself and donate blood. I am sure you will feel good.
