Every year on June 14, the world celebrates World Blood Donor Day to honour the heroes who selflessly donate blood. The event also works towards spreading awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products. This year, the theme for World Blood Donor Day 2024 is "20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!"
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the 20th anniversary of the event is not only a 'timely opportunity' to thank blood donors, but it is also a significant moment to "address continued challenges and accelerate progress towards a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible."
But while the selfless act of donating blood can save many lives and benefit several recipients, did you know that blood donation also provides various advantages to the donor? After speaking with three renowned experts in the field, we have compiled a list of the benefits associated with donating blood.
Mental Health Promotion
Dr Aparna Sharma, MD Transfusion Medicine, HOD Department of Transfusion Medicine & Blood Centre, CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, says, “The most important thing about donating blood is that it saves lives. According to her, each donor’s blood can be used by up to three different people who need transfusions or other blood products.
This act of selflessness generates a feeling of fulfilment and positivity that ultimately results in better mental health, the doctor adds.
Adding to this, Dr Harpreet Kaur, Medical Superintendent, Senior Consultant, and HOD - Lab Services and Blood Centre, Aakash Healthcare, New Delhi, says, "Donating blood can reduce stress, provide a sense of belonging, and reduce feelings of isolation. It feels good to know you've helped someone."
Mini Health Screening
Donating blood also requires you to undergo certain physical examinations and screenings prior to the donation. This includes getting your pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, and haemoglobin levels checked.
Additionally, a doctor reviews your clinical history and conducts a health assessment. All of these can offer valuable insights into your health, potentially detecting underlying medical conditions or risk factors for certain diseases.
Free Blood Analysis
By donating blood, you also get a free blood analysis, which checks for diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, and C infection, as well as syphilis.
According to Dr Sharma, donors are informed if they have any issues, so they can get additional health checkups.
Heart Disease Prevention
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In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Paresh Vyasa, Medical Director, Sarvoday Charitable Trust Blood Centre, says, "Regular blood donation can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by lowering the iron levels in the blood, which can reduce oxidative damage to the cardiovascular system."
A 2022 review published in the journal Transfusion Medicine Reviews looked at studies that compared blood donors to non-donors. It found evidence that suggested blood donation might protect against heart disease. However, more high-quality research is needed to definitively determine if blood donation influences heart disease risk.
Also Read: Safe Blood Transfusion Practices To Avoid Secondary Infections and Diseases
Reducing Cancer Risk
Studies suggest that regular blood donors may have some protection against certain types of cancer, says Dr Kaur.
In fact, a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggested that reducing iron levels in the blood could influence cancer risk. Researchers found that those who underwent iron reduction therapy or phlebotomy had a lower risk of developing new visceral cancers compared to the control group. Blood donation also lowers iron stores in the body, which suggests that keeping iron levels in check might be associated with a decreased risk of cancer.
Weight Management
People can also reap weight-loss benefits from blood donation, according to our doctors. In fact, Dr Sharma says, “It has been found that blood donation can burn fat, which amounts to 650 calories per donation.”
However, note that blood donation is not part of your weight loss plan.
New Blood Cell Production
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It is also important to note that regular blood donation stimulates the production of new blood cells. This means that when you donate blood, your body recognises that it's lost a significant portion of Red Blood Cells (RBCs), which triggers a response in your bone marrow that produces all your blood cells.
The marrow increases the production of new stem cells, which can then mature into different types of blood cells, including RBCs. This process of replacing donated blood helps keep your overall blood cell count healthy and your circulatory system functioning well.
Enhanced Blood Flow
According to Dr Sharma, donating blood regularly doesn't just help improve blood flow but also decreases the blood's thickness, reducing the risk of blood clots and other blood circulation issues.
Boosts Liver Health
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Donating blood can be beneficial for your liver's health. Our bodies naturally absorb iron from food, but excess iron can build up in organs like the liver. This iron overload can damage liver cells and contribute to serious conditions like cirrhosis. Therefore, regular blood donation can help remove excess iron stores, reducing the burden on your liver and preventing iron-related damage.
Promotes Healthy Lifestyle
“Knowing that you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to donate blood regularly can encourage better eating habits and regular physical activity,” Dr Vyasa highlights. This not only benefits the recipient of the healthy blood but also proves advantageous for the donor.