Blood is an important source of oxygen and nutrition for our body’s cells. Blood donation is not just a great cause, but also carries some health benefits that are listed in this article. The birth anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, is celebrated as World Blood Donor Day on June 14 every year and was first initiated by the World Health Organization in the year 2004.
For 2022, the World Blood Donor Day slogan is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives.”
The aim is to draw attention to the voluntary blood donation and the role it plays in saving lives along with increasing solidarity within communities.
WHO states, “The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood and also to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products, as an integral part of universal health coverage and a key component of effective health systems.”
Also Read: World Blood Donor Day: WHO encourages blood donors to “Join the Effort” to save lives
The five main health benefits of donating blood are:
- Helps with renewing blood cell production
Donating blood encourages the formation of new blood cells. Within 30 to 60 days, new blood cells are created, and all lost red blood cells are replaced.
- Helps with weight loss
Blood donation helps in reducing weight and improves fitness. Consulting a doctor is necessary to avoid health issues
- Decreased heart diseases
Huge amount of iron in the body can can cause oxidative damage that ultimately causes accelerated aging, heart attacks and strokes. Regular blood donation balances iron levels in the body which further reduces risk if heart diseases.
- Prevents hemochromatosis
Donating blood can help reduce or prevent the development of hemochromatosis, a disorder in which the body absorbs too much iron. However, the donor with hemochromatosis must meet the necessary norms of blood donation eligibility criteria.
- Low risk of cancer
Higher iron levels in the body are an invitation to cancer. You may maintain healthy iron levels by giving blood, minimising your chance of developing cancer.
This year, the global event will take place in Mexico. Mexico’s National Blood Centre will host World Blood Donor Day on June 14, 2022.
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