Today is World Blood Donor Day ^[1], a day to honor the unknown voluntary donors, who donate the precious fluid and save many lives. Mumbai requires 625 units of blood per day, and about 20,000 units of blood per month. The only way to meet this demand is to encourage voluntary blood donation ^[2]. One unit of blood can save four precious lives. Still India faces a shortage of approx 60 lac units of blood every year, which determines the lives of 2,400,000. One small act can save so many lives so why not join hands to make this blood donation drive a success. There is a Blood Donation camp set up in Mithibai College Campus at Vile Parle today. Be part of this drive and save lives.

Who can donate blood?• The age of the donor has to be between 18-60 years.
• A minimum weight of 45 Kg is required.
• The donor should have a minimum hemoglobin count of 12.5 gm/dl.
• The donor’s blood pressure needs to be within acceptable range of 110/70 mmHg to 180/100 mmHg.
• The donor should not be under medication or on treatment for diabetes, cardiac problems or any other medical ailment.
People who require blood
• Cancer patients, after chemotherapy, have very low blood platelet count, and require blood.
• Patients scheduled for surgery
• Emergency cases
Benefits of Blood Donation
• Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men and stimulate the generation of red blood cells.
• In patients prone to iron overload (e.g. due to hemochromatosis), blood donation prevents the accumulation of iron. However, at this time the American Red Cross does not accept people with hemochromatosis to donate blood for other people. On the other hand, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service does accept blood from hemochromatosis as they recognize that there is no disease to the blood.
• The amount of toxic chemicals (e.g. mercury, pesticides, fire retardants) circulating in the blood stream is reduced by the amount contained in given blood.
• Anecdotally, elderly people in good health have reported feeling invigorated by giving blood on a regular basis.