WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY -JUNE 14

June 14 is celebrated as World Blood donor day every year. This day is celebrated to thank the blood donors who donate blood to save lives.

Why is it so important to celebrate a day to thank blood donors?

Are they great people? 

Yes they are the real life heroes, as they donate blood to save the lives of fellow human beings.

Today being June 14, I thought of writing a post about it.

If anyone has a doubt if I have donated blood..

YES, I have donated blood and am happy to be a voluntary blood donor.

First time is always special and I am sharing my experience, how I felt the first time when I donated blood, in this post.

I did my MBBS from JIPMER ,Puducherry. During my internship, I decided to donate blood and I did the same on February 4, 2009, eleven years back, on my parents wedding anniversary.  

I went to the blood bank, they collected my preliminary details, checked my hemoglobin, and when they found me fit, I was taken for the procedure. I was made to lie down in the bed, the staff nurse made me feel comfortable, she tied the blood pressure cuff to my left arm and increased the pressure in the cuff so that my blood vein was visible. Then I was given local anesthesia, and she inserted the needle in the vein. This needle was bigger than the normally used needle, so initially I was little scared but there was not much pain as local anesthesia was already given. The blood started flowing in the bag.

Once the procedure was over, I was made to take rest and I was given some refreshments, juice and biscuits. I drove back home in scooty after two hours of donating blood. I was feeling perfectly fine and dint feel tired. I followed my normal diet after donating blood also.  

I really felt happy that my blood is going to be used for saving someone life. I also came to know at that point of time, that my blood will be used to save the life of not only one person but for three people.  I became more happy and excited.

I dint say my parents before donating blood as they would have been scared and would not have given me permission to donate. Of course, I told them after going home. Though they were worried about my health, but they were happy about my willingness to help others.

I feel donating blood was one of the greatest gifts I gave my parents on their wedding anniversary. You can also donate blood for your loved ones and I guess that will be the best gift you can give them.

Please do post your comments how did you feel when you donated blood for the first time.

In the next post, we will see what is blood donation and various facts and myths about blood donation.

                                                                                 Written by Dr. Priyavadhana