On its 7th year of holding the organ and blood donation drive nationwide, Hamad Medical Center (HMC) in partnership with Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation (Alf) is asking people to visit its booths during Ramadan until the Eid holidays (which also coincide with World Blood Donation Day observed every June 14th) to get to know more about the respective campaigns and get them to act. This time, the drive is spread out in popular destinations in the country:

  • Alf Pavilion
  • City Center Doha
  • Gulf Mall
  • Villagio Mall
  • Safari Mall
  • Grand Mall
  • Al Meera outlets
  • Ansar Gallery
  • Quality Hypermarkets
  • Al Mirqab Mall
  • Al Khor Mall
  • Lulu Hypermarket Gharrafa
  • Ezdan Malls
  • Family Food Center outlets
  • Dar Al Salam
  • Hyatt Plaza
  • Al Attia Market

According to the Red Cross, a single blood donor can save the lives of three. In Qatar, it is acceptable for a living donor to give his kidney or a portion of their liver to blood relations. Stem cell and cornea transplantation are also underway. The goal of the activity is to reach a level of self-sufficiency through social awareness and cooperation. For those who are interested and not very familiar with how the process goes, here are few pieces of information that can help you decide to take that leap:

 

Benefits of Donating Blood

Health.com listed four advantages of doing your part in the world’s call for blood donation and they are namely having better blood flow, real-time check-up, better iron count, and longer life. With good blood flow, you will be less likely to get heart attacks, strokes, and cancers. People who donate rarely get hospitalized and if they do, they usually have brief stays.

Also, the donation process allows you to have a check-up where you can ascertain your health condition. Those who have infectious illnesses like HIV are not allowed to give blood.

A healthy adult who donates blood loses a quarter of a gram of his iron (there is usually 5 grams in his body). However, this gets renewed when he eats weeks after the donation. The replenishment is good because having a lot of iron is bad for the vessels.

Furthermore, it is pointed out by Red Cross that a single donation can help three people. Knowing that you are able to do something for very small amount of effort and time to meet the need of someone else – a face you may never meet or a name you may never hear – gives you a great sense of accomplishment and this altruistic purpose may lengthen your life to 4 years according to a research in Health Psychology.

The video is taken from the Facebook Page of “Blood Donors of Qatar.”

How to Prepare as a Blood Donor

The American Red Cross has helpful tips in what a donor should do before, while, and after donating blood. First, you should stuff yourself with iron-rich foods like red meat, fish, spinach, and raisins because the moment you give blood, your iron count will decrease but not so much, though without preparation you may experience dizziness or fatigue. Get yourself a good night’s sleep (like 7 hours or so) and be hydrated.

On the day of giving blood, please make sure that you drink at least 16 oz. of water or non-alcoholic drink before your appointment. Wear comfortable clothes (e.g. short sleeves that will allow the process smoothly) and relax while you donate. Avoid having fatty foods because they might affect the quality of blood.

Lastly, if you are dizzy or lightheaded after donating, pause what you are doing and try to feel comfortable. You must avoid activities that are physically taxing for at least a day. Continue to eat iron-rich foods to have a well-balanced iron count.

Benefits of Donating Organs

Organ donation is where a tissue or organ of a living (e.g. when the donor bestows one of his pair of organs such as kidneys to another) or dead person is removed to be given to a patient who needs it for his or her healing. This powerful process called transplantation allows a human being to extend his or her life.

Though a donor can save at least 8 patients and improve the circumstances of 50 of their loved ones, not every person has the opportunity to be one because of their genetic makeup and the medical rule on prevention of transferable diseases.

Should you decide to become a donor, know that it has a huge effect in the scientific field where they harvest tissues and organs to multiply their usefulness and also in the families who are learning to accept the loss of their beloved members.

If you have the persistent hunger to succeed in your studies, career or marriage, you must also keep the same hunger to help and love others because the way to build generous societies is through the littlest (by donating your blood) to gigantic decisions (by giving away those that are precious to you like your organs and trusting that it will go a long way). If you don’t know where to start, go to the nearest locations and donate blood today. Let others know your good deed to inspire them to do the same.

By Jin

 

Sources:

Francis, Lee. “Benefits of organ donation.” (2017, August 14). Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/198025-benefits-of-organ-donation/

Osborn, Corinne O’Keefe. “The best foods to eat before donating blood.” (2018, January 17). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/what-to-eat-before-donating-blood#avoid

Swalin, Rachel. “4 Unexpected Benefits of Donating Blood.” (2014, June 13). Health. Retrieved from http://www.health.com/mind-body/4-unexpected-benefits-of-donating-blood

“HMC launches blood and organ donation campaign. (2018, May 25). Retrieved from http://www.gulf-times.com/story/593955/HMC-launches-blood-and-organ-donation-campaign

“What to do before, during, and after a donation.” (n.d.). American Red Cross. Retrieved from https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/before-during-after.html