AD – This is a paid collaboration in partnership with Health Digital
Most of my regular readers will know that we are a heart family. My husband Craig received his life-saving heart transplant in October 2014 after a short illness. Without the gift from Craig’s organ donor, he would not be alive today. There are, however, many other people that have given a blood donation that go about their business every day, without having the recognition that they deserve.
Two weeks after Craig’s transplant, his new heart developed a small bleed. This led to a condition called tamponade. This is when the space around the heart fills with fluid. This fluid then restricts the heart from pumping and an operation is necessary to remove the pressure. It came completely out of the blue and he was very fortunate to still be in the hospital when it happened.
After what we thought was the end of a very stressful and worrying journey, Craig had lost a lot of blood and needed a transfusion. He then underwent a second operation to repair the hole.
Blood donors are a vital resource to the health service. Without blood donors, many of the fantastic things that the doctors do would be impossible. Transfusions help thousands of people each day, and not just through surgery. In fact, just over a quarter of all blood received is used in surgery, 6% is used after childbirth and the rest is used to treat medical conditions and disorders including cancer and anaemia.
You can find some reasons below on Smart Cells infographic on why people require a blood transfusion.
We need six thousand people to donate daily just to keep up with demand in England alone. Each donor gives less than a pint of blood and can save multiple peoples lives as the donated blood is split into individual components. These are then used to treat as many people as possible.
There is lots of medical research being done to cure and treat diseases, but at the moment there is no substitute for blood. Most people can donate, it only takes around an hour of your time and is relatively painless and completely safe.
Do you donate?
Featured Image Source Abscent/Shutterstock
*This is a collaborative post*
I think everybody who is able should donate blood. I am sadly unable to donate anymore because I needed a transfusion myself but I am really grateful to whoever donated the blood that helped me to heal #mmbc
My father gave blood for years and taught me the value of being important and useful for others!
We always donate blood. It’s so important and there never seems to be enough of it. I knew it was used for surgeries and emergency injuries, but I didn’t know it was used for burn victims, too.
I can’t donate anymore. I had a blood transfusion when I had my youngest but I think that everyone who is able to should.
This is a great reminder. Thank you for posting.
#MMBC
I have a really rare blood type and I really should give blood but every time I try my body fails on me, and I pass out!! I’m not frightened by needles or the process, but my body just goes into shut down and even from a sitting position, I still keel over! I’ll definitely try again in the future when I don’t have to drive myself home afterwards! #MMBC
I have never donated blood because until recently I weighted below 50 kilos and even when I had to give blood for my annual tests I would get dizzy. However, I did put a little bit of more weight on now, but didn’t think of donating blood until reading your post. This is a very good reminder of how we can save someone’s life with just a pinch of a needle.
I wish i could give blood, but i lived in Germany in the 80’s, so they won’t let me give due to mad cow disease concerns. Too bad because I’m a universal donor.
Oh no I am way too squeamish for this!
This is a great thing to be raising awareness of. I don’t think people realise just how many lives are saved through donation.
#MMBC
This is spot on! I try and donate blood at least once a month if possible. I hope more people read this and understand the importance of this kind of contribution
A great message to share. It’ important to donate. Haven’t in a long time but thank you for reminding me of the importance of doing so.
I can’t give blood but I do receive donations of blood plasma. I’m truly grateful to all who do donate x
After reading your post I was inspired to donate blood. I think it is so important to take part and save other lives when in need. This is the minimum we could do.
my husband regularly donates blood. more than the act of kindness, he feels lighter when granting. he mentioned to me as well the health benefits of such act.
I’ve only donated blood once, for my grandfather. I passed out. I haven’t been able to do it since.
Donating blood is very important for people like Craig who need it at the ready. Thanks for sharing this with us! It’s a great reminder to give blood.
It is so important to donate blood if you are able to, especially if you have a rare blood type. Six thousand daily is such a large amount!
It actually is very important !
You have written an amazing post encouraging everyone. Blood donation is a humble and kind act.
What a great way to honor and recognize those who donate blood and a fantastic way of encouraging all of us to give life thru blood donation. lovely post
It’s been a long time since I donated, and reading this reminds me of the importance. Next time I see the donation for blood drive, I’ll sign up.
Nice reading your thoughts about the reasons to donate blood and encouraging more people towards this noble cause.
Giving blood is so important. Although, I can’t give blood because I lived in Europe during mad cow if I could I would.
Donating blood is definitely a must, we are devoted to it. My principle is that, I would want someone to help my family if we were ever to go through the trauma that required a transfusion.
I have never tried donating blood but I know how important to it. Aside from helping others, it will be better for us too.
Yeah! I love to read this kind of blog. Donating blood is also saving people and also you save yourself too. Thanks for the amazing blog post.
Donating blood is very important! I wish I could do it more often but I’m so afraid of needles!
I never knew how important donating blood for us. Thank you for giving us an insight on what it likes to be giving blood aside from helping others.
For a long time, I couldn’t donate blood because of my weight. I would definitely do it now though.
I haven’t tried blood donating. Yes, blood donating has a lot of importance to others life. But thanks for heading up.
I’ve always donated blood but it worries me that not that many young people seem to do it. We need a bit more about this on social media so that it’s seen as cool to give blood
I tried for many many years to donate but eventually they asked me to stop coming as due to my iron deficiency they were unable to get blood out of me that was any good. It was a sad day for me as I know how important it is to give blood. It doesn’t keep very well so we need a constant supply of people donating to keep up with demand.
Blood donation is so important.Sadly I have only ever given blood once but due to having sepsis in january I had 6 blood transfusions so I don’t know if or when I will be able to give blood again. I will always be grateful to blood donors, I wouldn’t be here without them.