• # The most precious gift that one can give to another person is the gift of life i.e. blood. It is the essence of life.

• # Your blood saves more than one life when it is separated into its components (red blood cells, plasma etc.).

• # Blood is needed regularly for patients with diseases such as thalassemia and hemophilia, and also for the treatment of injuries after an accident, major surgeries, anemia, etc.

• # It improves your health.

• Less likely to suffer diseases

• # Did you know that people who donate blood are 88% less likely to suffer a heart attack and 33% less likely to acquire any type of cardiovascular disease.

• # When you donate blood, it removes 225 to 250 milligrams of iron from your body, hence reducing the risk of heart disease.

• # Blood Center performs numerous tests on the donated blood. Therefore regular blood donation helps in sheilding you from serious diseases.

• # One unit of donated blood can save up to three lives.

• # You can donate blood every three months. It only takes 48 hours for your body fluids to be completely replenished.

• # Scientists have estimated the volume of blood in the human body to be eight percent of body weight.

• # There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in an adult human body.

• # A red blood cell can make a complete circuit of your body in 30 seconds.

• # White blood cells make up about 1% of your blood.

#According to a 2012 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, only nine million units are collected annually, while the need is for 12 million units.

# Delhi NCR alone faces a shortage of 100,000 units per year.

# The shelf-life of donated blood is 35 to 42 days. There is a constant need to replenish stocks in our blood banks.

# Healthy donors are between the age of 18 to 65 years.

# Statistics show that there are 234 million major operations in India, 63 million trauma-induced surgeries, 31 million cancer-related procedures and 10 million pregnancy related complications which require blood transfusions.

# Donating blood is a safe, simple, and rewarding experience that usually takes 30 minutes.

# To donate blood, find a blood bank near you using eRaktKosh Nearby Blood Bank Search.

# Requirement before Blood Donation is that your weight should be atleast 45 kgs , be at least 18 years old and be healthy in general.

# If you have any particular health concerns then inform the blood bank at the time of blood donation.

# During pre-donation screening, a blood bank employee will ask you some questions about your health, lifestyle, and disease risk factors. All of this information is confidential.

# An employee will perform a short health exam, taking your pulse, temperature and blood pressure. A drop of blood from your finger will also be tested to ensure that your blood iron level is sufficient for you to donate.

# All medical equipment used for this test, as well as during the donation process, is sterile, used only once and then disposed.

# Once the pre-donation screening is finished, you will proceed to a donor bed where your arm will be cleaned with an antiseptic, and a professional will use a blood donation kit to draw blood from a vein in your arm.

# If you are allergic to iodine, be sure to tell the phlebotomist at this point.

# During the donation process, you will donate one unit of blood; this takes about six to ten minutes.

#Following your donation, you will receive refreshments.

# After donating, it is recommended that you increase your fluid intake for the next 24 to 48 hours; avoid strenuous physical exertion, heavy lifting or pulling with the donation arm for about five hours; and eat well balanced meals for the next 24 hours.

# Smoking and alcohol consumption is not recommended after donation. Although donors seldom experience discomfort after donating, if you feel light-headed, lie down until the feeling passes.