Are you ready to save a life ??

Every 2-seconds, someone in the country is in need of blood. Every year our nation requires about 4 Crore units of blood, out of which only a meager 5 Lakh units of blood are available.

It's not that, people don't want to donate blood. Many, many times it's just that they are not aware of a need. As a result, needy people end up going through a lot of pain.

Make donating blood with regularity a part of your life. The process is simple and safe. Minority groups have something special to give. Different groups of people have different percentages of blood types. Thus, it is important that every ethnic group participate in blood donation programs.

Remember: you can save the life of a friend, a neighbor, and also a family member.

Who can donate blood ?

* All donors must be at least 17 years old or older.
* All donors must weigh 100 lbs. or more. Donors who undergo apheresis should weigh at least 110 lbs.
* All donors must be in good health. You can still donate if you are taking medication although it depends on your state of health and the type of medication.

In donating blood, you are converted into a hero in many ways.

* Your donation can save the lives of up to 3 patients. These patients can have cancer, be victims of accidents, be in need of organ transplants or have chronic illnesses.
* Sometimes blood can be utilized to replace lost blood from people in life or death situations.
* Plasma, the yellow liquid portion of the blood, reduces bleeding through coagulation factors.
* The platelets that also assist in the coagulation are fragile cells that are needed by patients with leukemia and other cancers. These platelets should be transfused within the first five days after the donation.
* The red cells help to treat anemia and increases the blood's ability to transport oxygen during surgical procedures.

The need of the hour is to identify peoples, corporates who can organise Blood Donation Drives in their offices. Also residential societies, who can organize Blood Donation Drives.These are very easy ways to organise Blood Donation Drive and do not require major planning in terms of time.

After all, saving a life does not require heroic deeds. You could just do it with a small thought and an even smaller effort by saying "yes" to blood donation.