by Vilie Farah

Created on: October 16, 2009   Last Updated: November 10, 2009

Some of the noblest human qualities include mercy and compassion. These qualities often get individuals involved in helping people in need. Often, they make us act against our individual interest to save lives.
Donating blood is one of the most altruistic activities an individual can get involved in. Donated blood is crucial for saving lives. Yet, very few understand the procedure, its importance, and harmlessness. As a result, quantities of donated blood frequently remain insufficient.

One of the most important factors to take into consideration is that besides saving lives, blood donation can be beneficial for the donor.

WHY ARE BLOOD DONATIONS BENEFICIAL?
When a person donates blood, the organism perceives the process as blood loss. This stimulates the bone marrow to produce blood cells.
The renewal of blood cells stimulates the immune system and helps the human organism fight diseases and infections. This process could be seen as the replacement of old blood with newly-produced blood. Furthermore, in the instance of actual serious blood loss, the body of a donor will have the capacity to cope better and to adapt to the extreme situation.

Further research shows that blood donors are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Donating blood removes some iron from the circulatory system. Iron is an important element for the proper functioning of the human body but in larger quantities could harm the heart.

Take into consideration that blood donation often means helping a human being in need. The mentality of donors also changes. They feel better about themselves and gain more confidence.

These benefits are universal and will affect donors regardless of age. Furthermore, each donor undergoes medical examination. Before donating blood, you will have your blood pressure, heart rate and hemoglobin checked. Apart from the health benefits, donors get free of charge health screening.

BLOODLETTING
Have you heard that in the past one of the most commonly used medical procedures was letting blood flow out of the body of a sick person? Bloodletting was used until the 19th century. Since ancient times, people had some understanding that the procedure could be beneficial.

Greeks believed that blood should be allowed to flow out of the body. As a person grew older, blood was considered to turn "bad" and had to be removed from the organism. Later on, the procedure evolved further and bloodletting was recommended on specific days.

WHO SHOULD REFRAIN FROM DONATING BLOOD?
Certainly

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