The fluid of life, the red river of life- blood has been called many names. The sanguine fluid sustains life through its various functions. From carrying oxygen to the cells to transporting nutrients and draining the wastage, fighting germs- blood does it all. So, for any reason, when the body is in need of blood, we rush to manage the right blood and only in these moments do you realise the importance of blood donors.
Blood donation is an altruistic act where one person donates his life fluid to another person. In Bangladesh, it’s the youth who contribute the most to blood donation. 14 July is the World Blood Donor Day; the day to recognise and appraise this noble act. This year’s motto for the day is: “Celebrating 20 years of giving: thank you, blood donors!”.
The slogan commemorates the milestone of the 20th anniversary and the undeniable impact of blood donation on the lives of patients and donors.
In Bangladesh, the Voluntary organisation ‘Badhan’ must be praised for their contribution when it comes to blood donation. Badhan members are graduate and undergraduate students and whether it is day or night, these try their best to manage a donor when they are asked.
According to a 2023 study, the country requires a whooping 900,000 bags of blood every year. Volunteer blood donations meet at least 32% of the total demands in Bangladesh. The rest comes from friends, relatives and other sources.
According to the Blood Transfusion Act, a person can donate 450-500 ml of blood if their weight is over 50 kilograms and 350 ml if they weigh 45kg. Experts say that only 2% of the country’s population donating blood once a year could eliminate the blood shortage in the country.
But we are far from that and when in need, it’s still quite difficult to find a blood donor. Which is why it’s important to recognise and cherish those that donate blood. Believe it or not, most blood donors are reluctant to accept any sort of monetary compensations. This is the case not only in Bangladesh but all over the world.
Studies conducted over the years confirm the fact that the main motivation behind blood donation is- altruism, feeling satisfied after helping others and knowing that one could directly help someone else. Altruism as a motivation for blood donation ranked first with 70%-90% result in different studies. All these facts confirm that blood donors only want to help others. And for such a noble act, it’s only fair that we recognise their contribution and give them the appraisal that they deserve.
“I saw my friends donating blood before but I never imagined it can be such a big thing until I needed blood when my mother had dengue. Honestly, I was awestruck when some who is only an acquaintance donated the blood and I am forever grateful for that,” said Md Mushfique, a recent graduate who now sees blood donors with a newfound respect.
And while blood donors deserve more respect, it’s unfortunate that sometimes they are treated poorly. For example, when a university student donates blood, it should be kept in mind that that young man or woman is going out of their way to help someone else. They are commuting a distance and donating their own life force so they can save another person. But sometimes these heroes are treated badly. Sometimes they face rude and harsh behaviour from the family of the blood recipients.
This needs to change. If a good samaritan is donating blood to you or your loved ones, the least you can do is to treat them with respect. Offer them a refreshing liquid such as juice or coconut water, a snack or a meal and offer to pay for their transportation. In most cases these heroes refuse any sort of monetary compensation but the least you can do as a recipient is to make the offer and tell him how thankful you are for their contribution.
Celebrate this year’s blood donor day and encourage others to donate by recognising those who are already playing their part as real-life superheroes by donating blood. Let’s say it loud and say it together- “Thank you, blood donors!”.