Why is donating blood important?
Safe blood saves lives and improves health, hence blood is vital to life and for many people blood donors are their lifeline.
According to the Port Moresby General Hospital Blood Bank, currently only 1 in 30 people give blood, but 1 in 3 people will need blood in their lifetime.
Modern processing techniques mean that a single blood donation, when separated into its components, can help at least three different patients and contribute to making up to 22 different products (including potentially life-saving immunisation for chicken pox, hepatitis B and tetanus).
There is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use.
Regular blood donations by a sufficient number of healthy people are needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed and is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person.
A decision to donate your blood can save a life or even several if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma, which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.
Blood transfusion is needed for:
- Women with complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and haemorrhage before, during or after childbirth;
- Children with severe anaemia often resulting from malaria or malnutrition;
- People with severe trauma following accidents; and
- Many surgical and cancer patients.
- Regular transfusions for people with condition such as thalassaemia and sickle cell disease and are used to make products such as clotting factors for people with haemophilia.
For voluntary donation of blood, head into the Port Moresby General Hospital Blood Bank between 9am and 3pm daily to make a lifesaving blood donation.