1. Blood donation is a painful process

Fact: Blood donation is a painless process and donors will feel only a slight pinch when the needle is inserted.

2. Blood donation is time-consuming

Fact: The whole process of blood donation takes only 45 minutes to 1 hour.

3. Too much blood is taken during blood donation

Fact: A human body consists of approximately 8 to 10 pints of blood and only 1 pint of blood is collected during blood donation which can save up to 3 lives.

4. People only with muscular and well build bodies can donate blood

Fact: A donor who weighs at least 50 kg or more, has normal pulse, blood pressure, temperature and hemoglobin level is eligible to donate.

5. Blood donation leads to weakness in the body

Fact: Fact: Donating blood doesn’t lead to any weakness if the donor stays hydrated and eats a proper protein and iron-rich meal 2 or 3 hours prior to donation and takes a proper balanced diet for at least one week after donation.

6. Blood donation affects the immune system

Fact: Blood donation doesn’t affect the immune system of the body as the blood which is donated is replaced by stimulating new cells, one just needs to follow a balanced diet after donation.

7. Vegetarians can’t donate blood

Fact: Being vegetarian or non-vegetarian doesn’t define the eligibility criteria for donating blood. There is less amount of iron in the vegetarian body but it can be increased by taking iron-rich sources into the diet.

8. Smoking defers one from donating

Fact: Smoking doesn’t permanently defer a donor from donating blood but the donor should avoid smoking for at least 3 hours after donation. Smoking before blood donation can lead to an increase in blood pressure which may disqualify you from donating. Smoking afterward may lead to dizziness.

9. Consuming alcohol defers one from donating

Fact: The donor should stay away from alcohol 24 hours prior to donation although being alcoholic doesn’t affect the eligibility for donating blood.

10. Blood donation affects body weight: makes donors thin or obese

Fact: Blood donation has nothing to do with body weight and it doesn’t affect it. So, body weight remains unchanged if the donors take proper diet.

11. Blood donation is not for women

Fact: Blood donation has nothing to do with gender. Women can donate blood once every four months if they have normal hemoglobin levels. Although women who are pregnant or have undergone abortions are deferred temporarily from donating

12. Blood donors are prone to infection

Fact: Fact: Blood donation is a completely safe process. All types of tests are performed and various precautions are taken during a blood transfusion.

13. One day rest is needed after blood donation

Fact: People can resume their normal activities after donation and should keep themselves hydrated to avoid any weakness. Although they should avoid any vigorous exercises/activity for at least 48 hours.

14. Donors can only donate once a year

Fact: The donated blood is replenished by the body in four to eight weeks and therefore the donor can donate after every 56 days for whole blood. For RBC after every 3months for male and every 4 months for females, RBC can be donated every 16 weeks, platelets for every 7 days and Plasma every 28 days.

15. People with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and hypertension can’t donate

Fact: A donor can donate blood if their blood pressure is below 180 systolic and below 100 diastolic at the time of donation. People with high cholesterol can also donate blood as high cholesterol is not an abnormal condition for a donor. When about 350/450ml blood is drawn from a donor & transfused it is diluted in the blood of the patient and level won’t be that high. https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/can-you-give-blood-if-you-have-high-cholesterol-f0617-498809/

16. There are already surplus donors available for a donation

Fact: Every 2 seconds someone needs blood who has either faced a car accident, severe injury, or undergoing any surgery or transplantation and regular donations are required to overcome the shortages of blood.

17. People taking regular medicines can’t donate

Fact: Being on regular medicines doesn’t defer a donor from donating blood unless they suffer from any bacterial or viral infection.

18. One donation doesn’t make a difference

Fact: No, this is not true. Your 1 pint of donated blood can save up to 3 lives so every donation matters.

19. Donating blood leads to headache and vomiting

Fact: Most donors do not experience any side effects, while some people are known to show some symptoms after blood donation such as

• -Slight pain: needle to be inserted into the arm to draw blood, this cause slight pain and discomfort.
• -Bruising: Some people experience brusing around the needle insertion Site

Nausea and dizziness: It is common to experience slight nausea and dizziness after blood donation process. That is why blood donor are kept under observations for about 15 minutes. Taking some light snacks and fruit juice during this time help to ease nausea and light-headness.

20. Blood donation leads to fluctuation in blood pressure and sugar levels

Fact: Blood donation doesn’t lead to any fluctuation in blood pressure and sugar levels if the pre-donation values are within limits.

21. Blood donation leads to iron deficiency in the body

Fact: Blood donation does not lead to iron deficiency though it reduces some amount of iron from the body but it can be replenished by having an iron-rich meal after donation so that the body absorbs more iron.

22. Old people aren’t eligible to donate

Fact: Everyone between 18 to 60 years of age is eligible for donating blood.

23. Blood can’t be donated on fasting days

Fact: It is advised to have a proper meal 2 to 3 hours before donating blood but if the donor is not feeling weak and has all normal tests before donation they can donate blood. (The Donor is advised to donate after Iftar as the process would require him to drink water.)

24. A donor can’t take part in sports after blood donation

Fact: Blood donation does not affect the ability of donors to take part in sports or perform any physical activity. Although the donors should avoid any vigorous physical activity for at least 48 hours after donation and then can continue with a regular schedule.

25. There is limited blood in the human body

Fact: The average human body has 8 to 10 pints of blood and only 1 pint of blood is taken from donation which is replenished by the body after some time.

26. Blood donation affects the menstruation cycle

Fact: Blood donation does not affect the menstruation cycle and women can donate blood even during periods. Though they should avoid blood donation during a heavy flow.

27. Blood donation affects the health of donors

Fact: Blood donation doesn’t affect the health of donors, it is a completely safe and harmless process and the donors can keep themselves hydrated to avoid any dizziness

28. People with seasonal allergies can’t donate blood

Fact: Seasonal allergy doesn’t disqualify a person from donating blood and the donor will be eligible for donating. Allergies symptoms include itchy eyes, nasal congestion, post nasal drip, sneezing.

29. People with diabetes can’t donate blood

Fact: A diabetic patient is only deferred from donating if they are on insulin. Diabetic person should have their condition under control and be in otherwise good health before they donate blood. Even a person is controlling diabetes through lifestyle changes they are eligible to donate.

30. Blood can be manufactured

Fact: No, blood cannot be manufactured. There is no substitute for blood as it can’t be manufactured and only the generosity of voluntary donors makes sure that there is enough availability of blood for those who need it..

31. It takes up to six months to replenish the blood that you donate

Fact: The recommended period between donations is three to four months. Different components take different lengths of time to replenish. Your blood volume is usually restored within 10 minutes, plasma within 24 hours, platelets within 72 hours and red blood cells in two to four weeks, while iron requires 12 weeks in men and 16 weeks in women.

32. If A Patient Donates Blood, He or She Is At A Higher Risk of Contracting HIV or The Hepatitis B Virus

Fact: Blood donation does not increase the risk of contracting HIV or Hepatitis B. A patient can contact these viruses when exposed to a used needle, however, a fresh needle is used for the blood donation process and comes attached with the blood bag. After completion of the donation, the needle is detached from the bag and destroyed immediately. For every blood donation, a new bag with an attached needle is used.

33. Donors Identity and numbers is revealed and exposed?

Fact: We at DDL Blood Sewa provide a digital ID for both donors and receivers and make sure the identity of donors is not revealed and privacy is maintained.

34. I don’t have time, I want to but I will not get leave or paid leave for donating blood. As blood donation timing are clashing with my office hours

Fact: As per Govt. of India Ministry of personnel Public Grievances and Pensions department of Personnel & Training “Grant of special Casual leaves for the purpose of blood donation”. Consequent upon the decision taken by Govt. grant of special casual leave for blood donation has been extended for blood donation for apheresis (Blood component such as red cells, plasma, platelets etc. for four times in a year under certain conditions. Therefore, office employees can donate blood on paid leave basis.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/government-employees-can-now-get-paid-leave-for-blood-donation-1795009

35. The donor questionnaire asks so many questions and I don’t see how they are relevant to blood donation

Fact: The donor health questionnaire assesses blood donors' eligibility based on strict criteria, ensuring donor safety and the safety of the donated blood. Accurate information about donors' health and lifestyle is crucial to identify potential risks of transmissible diseases and ensure donors can donate without health issues.

36. Blood donation leads to infertility

Fact: No, There is no link between blood donation and infertility.

37. Athletes shouldn’t donate blood.

Fact: Athletes can donate blood and usually recover quickly though they should avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours post donation.

38. Donating blood can shorten your Lifespan

Fact: Donating blood has no adverse effect on lifespan and can actually have health benefits.

39. Myth: I don’t have a rare blood type, so it’s not really needed

Fact: No matter what your blood type is, it is needed and valuable — and vital to saving a life. If you have a common blood type, there is a higher demand for it and, therefore, a greater need for donors. If you have a less common blood type, there are fewer donors available to give, making it in short supply.

40. Myth: I have a tattoo or piercing, so I can’t donate blood

Fact: Anyone can donate blood immediately after getting a tattoo or piercing, as long as they received it fro. Otherwise, people will have to wait 12 months to donate.