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It is regrettable to note that only about five per cent of people donate blood in most Western countries while approximately eighty percent will need it sometime during their lives.

In selecting individuals for blood donation, any Blood Service has to decide whether the person is in good health in order to protect the donor against damage to his or her health and to protect a recipient against exposure to disease.

The general criteria for the acceptability of blood donors in several countries are that they should be between sixteen and sixty years of age (seventy if they are regular donors) and possess good health.

Men and women should have hemoglobin greater than l3O g/L and l2O g/L respectively. A potential donor must weigh a minimum of 5O kg (55 kg if aged between l6 and l8).

People who have never suffered from brucellosis, cancer or syphilis and who do not have any recent attack of malaria, infectious mononucleosis or hepatitis/ jaundice can donate blood provided they satisfy other conditions.

Potential donors must not have had ear piercing or tattooing in the last twelve months. In most countries people who have received a blood transfusion are deferred from donating until twelve months have elapsed from the time of the transfusion.

Men and women in risk groups for HIV/AIDS must not donate blood. Women are excluded from donating blood during pregnancy and for nine months following a full term delivery.

A person with any form of failure or severe damage or malfunction of the heart should not donate blood. The deferral period for living vaccines like measles, mumps, yellow fever, BCG and oral polio is four weeks.

The minimum period between donations is usually three months. Those individuals who have spent a cumulative period of greater than six months in the United Kingdom between l98O and l996 are excluded from donating blood in some countries.

The criteria or guidelines may vary from country to country, because the criteria are formulated sometimes to suit the needs of the country.

Dr Karl Landsteiner, having observed two distinct molecules present on the surface of the red cells, labeled one molecule “A” and the other molecule “B”. If the red blood cell has only “A” molecule on it, the blood is called type A, while if the red blood cell has only “B” molecule on it, the blood is called type B.

If the red blood cell has a mixture of both molecules, the blood type is AB. If the red blood cell has neither molecule, the blood is called type O.

A person with type A blood can donate blood to a person with type A or type AB, while a person with type B blood can donate blood to a person with type B or type AB. A person with type AB blood can donate blood to a person with type AB only, while a person with type O blood can donate to anyone (universal donor).

While studying Rhesus monkeys, scientists discovered a blood protein which is also present in the blood of some people. The presence of the protein or lack of it is referred to as the Rh for Rhesus. If your blood contains the protein, your blood is said to be Rh positive (Rh+) and on the other hand if your blood does not contain the protein, your blood is said to be Rh negative (Rh-).

Many lives have been saved by transfusions from blood banks. Before a blood transfusion can take place, it is necessary to make sure that the donor’s and the recipient’s blood mix without agglutination. Both groups which mix without agglutination are said to be compatible.

If you smoke, take alcohol, stay in a hot room, rush or do vigorous exercise, miss a meal, or stand still for a long period after donating blood, you may feel faint even if you have given blood several hours ago.

According to a research study published in Finland in l984, those men who donate blood regularly lower their iron stores, thereby reduce the oxidation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which is implicated in artery clogging.

Another research study conducted in Italy discloses that the death rate of blood donors aged sixty-five to sixty-nine is half that of non-donors.

Research conducted by the Kansas University Medical Centre, USA with 655 blood donors and over 3,OOO non-donors over a long period reveals many useful information.

Men who donate blood are likely to be prevented from the risk of heart attack and stroke. Certain specific types of cardiovascular disease are up to three times more common in the non-donors.

It appears that there is no increased advantage from donating blood more than once in the preceding three years. The research study has brought to light that there is no link between blood donation and protection against heart disease among women before menopause or among men who are smokers.Menstruating women lose approximately a total of fifty millilitres of blood during menstruation. Women are protected from the thickening of arteries at least until menopause.

Men usually have higher stores of iron than women. Iron not only catalyses the production of powerful oxidants and other substances, but also oxidizes lipids to form atherosclerosis which cause the artery walls to narrow down and bring about fatal clots.

Although the findings of these research studies are encouraging but not conclusive, researchers are conducting long term studies for further support and conformation.

Participation in blood donation is a selfless act of sacrifice, besides the wonderful feeling derived from giving something vital to someone who needs it. Service is the highest form of worship and spirituality. All acts of service done to others are to be treated as service to God.