WE all live in a society in which one member depends on another, directly or indirectly. This simply means that as members of the human race, we would have to interact, communicate and rely on others for one thing or the other.
In truth, no one in this world can live alone. People who live a solitary life without any companion, friend or neighbour – in short, living outside society – would end up as loners and outcasts.
Therefore, in living our respective lives in a society, we have the obligation to help others, even if it is not all the time, at certain points in our life. On the other side of the coin, we would also find moments in our life when we have to depend on others for aid and assistance.This is true when we discuss blood donation. Blood banks in Malaysia have always been need blood donors to ensure ample supply at all possible times.
According to Deputy Director of the National Blood Centre Dr Faraizah Abdul Karim, during the recent festive seasons, there were only around 450 units of blood available in the centre which has the capacity to hold up to 5,000 units.
The minimum requirement for Klang Valley alone is between 1,200 to 1,500 units of blood. To cater for this demand, the National Blood Centre actually requires about 300 blood donors daily.
As such, a drive to encourage people to donate blood was launched. Many heeded the call but still, continuous effort must be made to encourage more donors to come forward. We must realise that there may come a time in our life when we ourselves may need blood. Before we receive, it is perhaps commendable if we first give others blood.
In Malaysia, the minimum age for blood donors is 18 while the maximum is 60 years. The potential donor must be healthy, has ample sleep, weigh above 45kg and is not under medication or alcoholic influences.The prospective donor must also live a healthy lifestyle devoid of any risky and unhealthy sexual activities and drug abuse.
The simple process of blood donation would be completed in under an hour and the blood we donate would actually benefit up to three kinds of patients. This is because the blood donated would be processed and divided
into three constituents namely red blood cells, platelets and plasma.
The red blood cells would benefit patients with chronic anaemia or acute blood loss. It must be remembered however that blood is a perishable item and does not last forever.
The red blood cells for instance are only good for anywhere between 35 and 42 days. Platelets are used to help
patients undergoing cancer therapy, recovering from organ or bone marrow transplants or those with leukaemia or aplastic anaemia.
Unlike red blood cells, platelets could only be kept for five days.
Meanwhile, the blood component known as plasma is beneficial to patients with severe liver disease, clotting deficiencies or serious burns. Fresh frozen plasma can be stored for up to a year. In verse 32 of Surah al-Maidah of the Quran, it is stated, to the effect that: “… and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people”. Such is the reward for helping to save a person’s life.
In the case of blood donation, we are not only helping one person, but three actually.
Another point worth knowing is it has been indicated by researchers at the University of Kansas in the United States and the University of Kuopio in Finland that donating blood is actually healthy for the body.
The preliminary findings of the two independent researches involving 6,500 men are that, by donating blood, men and post-menopausal women rid their body of excessive iron, which is thought to contribute to heart diseases. For instance, the research conducted in Kansas showed non-smoking men who donated blood had a 30% reduced cardiovascular risks, such as heart attack, by-pass and stroke, compared to non-donors.This finding is in consonant with the “iron hypothesis” that suggests a mild reduction in iron storage in the body
would lower the risk of a heart attack.
Donating one unit of blood, some 250mg of iron stored in the body would be reduced. The research finding in Finland was more encouraging. Published in the March 15, 1997 issue of the British Medical Journal, it showed blood donors have an 86% lower risk of a heart attack compared to non-donors.
The researchers observed, though not concretely proven, that a mild iron deficiency as a result of blood donation may account for the reduced risk of heart diseases among the donors.
While the medical fraternity is still uncertain if there is indeed a link between donating blood and reducing the risk of a heart attack, one thing for certain is that giving blood would not put the donor at risk but would, instead, help those in need of blood.
However, it is worthwhile noting that actual studies to find concrete evidence to connect iron concentration in the body with heart disease are still ongoing.
Therefore, if we were to give blood, it must be remembered that the deed is done for a noble and altruistic cause and that is to help others in need. Donating blood should not be done for the sole and individualistic purpose of reducing the risk of heart diseases.
It is important to remember that blood is one of the most precious substances on the planet.All of us need it to live, but unfortunately blood banks the world over, not just in Malaysia, face an uphill battle to remain one step ahead of the increasing need for blood supply. Take the United States, for instance — statistics
have shown that only one person in every 20 gives blood. Imagine 100% of the United States’ blood supply comes from only 5% of the population.
A donor can only give blood once every three months. If we were to do simple arithmetic, Malaysia requires 27,000 donors every quarter of a year to meet the minimum requirement in the blood bank.
The minimum number of donors is actually very small as it is only 0.12% of the population in the country or 12 in every 10,000 Malaysians. Yet, we find the stock in the blood bank is often below the minimum amount required. The assumption that could be made, therefore, is that less than 0.12% of Malaysians actually donate blood.
Malaysians have always prided themselves as a “caring society”. As such, it is time all of us answered the call to help others in need of blood.