Blood Donation at GSI Gandhinagar

A blood donation camp was held at Geological Survey of India, State Unit: Gujarat, Gandhinagar on 13.08.2018. Officers and staff members donated blood to the Civil Hospital, Gandhinagar. A total of 16 units of blood were collected in this event. Many of us donated blood for the first time and it was an enjoyable experience.

Blood donation is something we have all heard since our childhood. It is indeed a wonderful act which does save lives. Moreover donating blood is good for the donor too. Every year India requires more than 5.5crore units of blood out of which approximately 40% of the requirement is fulfilled. 

Some of the facts that underlines the importance of blood donation are listed below:

1. Every 2 seconds someone needs blood in our country.

2. More than 45000 blood donations are required everyday to match the normal requirement.

3. Thalassemia and sickel cell anemia patients require fresh blood throughout their lives. Patients diagnosed with cancer also require blood transfusions.

4. Commuters meeting with accidents on the roads can require huge volume of blood which might add upto 100 units of flood. In India, more than 150000 people die each year from road accidents which means 400 fatalities a day many of which occur due to lack of proper blood supply.

Donating blood has benefits for an individuals' emotional and physical health. According to a report by the Mental Health Foundation, blood donation can:

• Lower risk of  heart diseases
• Lower risk of cancer, especially liver, lung, colon, stomach to name a few. 
• You get a free health checkup: Blood, blood pressure, hemoglobin levels etc.    
• Removes the body of many toxins and helps in generation of fresh blood.

Around half of the blood that is donated is made of water. This means its best to be fully hydrated. When a donor lose fluids during the blood donation process, the blood pressure can drop, leading to dizziness. Intake of enough fluids can restore this condition. Foods rich in iron should be taken for the next 2 to 3 days to increase the hemoglobin in the blood. 

Donating blood is a great way to give back to the community. It’s usually quick and easy. 

If one eats healthy on the day of the donation and drink plenty of extra fluids, one should have minimal or no side effects. 

This was a wonderful initiative taken by GSI Gandhinagar and hopefully this benevolent act will continue in the future.

Blood donation camp

"Blood is meant to circulate so pass it around."