Blood Donation

    Introduction

    There is tremendous demand for blood in Hospitals.

    Many patients die because they are not able to cope with the loss of blood.

    The blood donated is used to:

    • Replace blood lost during injury eg. in accidents
    • Replace blood loss during surgeries
    • Help patients with bleeding disorders (like Hemophilia) survive
    • Help burnt patients receive plasma that may be critical for their survival
    • Raise Haemoglobin levels in patients with chronic ailments like Kidney diseases, Cancer and Anemia

    Facts about the blood supply

    • Blood cannot be manufactured - it can only come from generous donors.
    • Type O negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand and often in short supply.
    • People with Type AB positive plasma can receive blood from any Blood group. AB plasma is also usually in short supply.

    Universal Recipient & Donor

    • There are four main red blood cell types: A, B, AB and O. Each can be positive or negative for the Rh factor
    • AB is the universal recipient
    • O negative is the universal donor of red blood cells.