Donating blood by human beings is considered to be a noble act all over the world. Millions of people require blood at some point in time to save their lives. By donating blood one can be a part in saving a life. As all knows there are four types of blood group ‘“ A, B, AB and O. The AB+ is the universal recipient and O+ is the universal donor. O-ve is the most rarely available blood group. A donation of this group beforehand can come useful in need. By donating blood nothing is lost as a healthy body makes up the blood lost within a very short span of time.

Here are some facts on blood donation worth knowing:

• The amount of blood present in an average human adult is 10 pints. A new born baby has just a cup of blood in its body. Blood makes up nearly 7% of the body weight of a human being.

• In America around 32,000 pints of blood are required each day to save people’s lives. Without blood donation the number of human deaths in the country would have been around 4.5 million per year.

• It is seen that every three seconds a person needs blood. Out of 10 people entering hospital one person needs blood.

• Blood banks mostly run out of B and O group blood.

• Just one pint of donated blood is capable of saving as many as three people.

• Roughly 25% people will require blood at least once in their lifetime.

• Years of observations show that blood banks and hospitals show shortage of blood of all types in the summer and winter holidays. It is because people are more active during these times and indulge in holidaying activities.

• By donating blood the donor will not be affected by AIDs or such other infectious disease.

• If a person starts donating blood from the age of 17, donates till he or she attains the age of 76 and donates every 56 days the person would have donated about 48 gallons of blood. The person also loses a pound of weight for a pint of blood donated.

• Blood is donated voluntarily and not for money. In 1975, WHO adopted a resolution to encourage countries to promote blood donation based on non-remunerated blood donation for nation service.

• There are certain countries like the United States of America who pay incentives on blood donation. Incentives like t-shirts, tickets and various rewards are given. Monetary incentives are also prevalent sometimes.

• In the 1990s the demand for blood increased drastically over the globe. However the supply of blood in the United States fell from 13.9% in 1989 to 9.1% in 1999.

Blood is important for life. It cannot be manufactured. It can only be obtained from another living human being. In spite of all the advancements in medical science a mere shortage of blood availability can cause millions of deaths. When the demand and supply of blood do not match it can be a serious threat. Donors should come out of myths regarding blood donation and show a more logical and open heartedness towards this philanthropic activity.