Who is a donor and why is their blood needed

A donor is a person who voluntarily donates their blood for transfusions to other people. Blood is needed: for injuries with blood loss (traffic accidents, disasters); for surgeries; for difficult births; for patients with hemophilia, leukemia, aplastic anemia; for patients with burns; for cancer treatment (chemotherapy suppresses blood formation). Donor blood is also used to produce drugs (albumin, immunoglobulin). One dose (450 ml) can save up to three lives. In Russia, the need for blood is about 1.5 million liters per year. It is provided by volunteers.

Blood groups and Rh-factor: why it is important

Human blood is divided into 4 groups (0/I, A/II, B/III, AB/IV) according to the ABO system and into Rh-positive (Rh+) and Rh-negative (Rh-). It is necessary to match the group and Rh-factor during transfusion, otherwise the immune system of the recipient will destroy the donor's erythrocytes (hemolysis), which can lead to death. The universal donor is group 0(I) Rh- (negative), but there are few such people (about 7% of the population). The universal recipient is group AB(IV) Rh+. Knowing your blood group is important not only for donation but also for emergency situations. You can determine your blood group at a clinic or when donating blood.

Who can be a donor

Requirements: age from 18 years; weight not less than 50 kg; absence of chronic infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, syphilis); absence of oncology; normal blood pressure; not pregnant or breastfeeding; not suffering from severe cardiovascular diseases; not having had a tattoo or piercing in the last year; not having been sick in the last 2 weeks; not having consumed alcohol for 48 hours, not smoking for an hour before donation. Temporary exclusions: menstruation, taking antibiotics, after surgery, after vaccination. The full list of contraindications is provided by the doctor.

How the blood donation process goes

Process: come to a blood transfusion center or station; fill out a questionnaire; donate blood from a finger for hemoglobin; examination by a therapist. Then you are seated in a chair, blood is taken from a vein (450 ml) in a sterile system with a preservative. Everything is disposable. The time of collection is 10-15 minutes. After that, rest for 15 minutes, sweet tea, cookies. In 2-3 days, the blood will be tested for infections (HIV, hepatitis, syphilis) and allowed for transfusion. If an infection is detected, the donor is placed on the registry and no longer allowed to donate. Donation is safe because everything is sterile.

Types of donation

Whole blood (standardly 450 ml). Plasmapheresis - take blood, separate the plasma, and return the cells to the donor. Plateletpheresis - collection of platelets (needed for cancer patients). Erythrocytapheresis - collection of red cells. Also, you can donate granulocytes (for immunodeficient patients). Each type has its own requirements and duration. Plasma and platelets are most in demand.

Why donation is safe

The needle and all systems are disposable, the risk of infection is excluded. The volume of collection (450 ml) is 10% of the total blood volume (4-5 liters). The body restores the lost volume in 1-2 days, cells in 4-6 weeks. Before donation, hemoglobin is checked. If the hemoglobin is low, you will not be allowed. After donation, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, iron-rich diet (rice, apples, liver). Side effects: dizziness (rarely), bruise at the puncture site, weakness. Serious complications are almost non-existent.

Benefits and incentives

In Russia, donors who have donated blood 40 or more times receive the title of "Honorary Donor". They are entitled to: an annual monetary payment (about 17,000 rubles); priority treatment in state institutions; preferential sanatorium tickets (if there are indications); paid day off on the day of donation. Regular donors receive a certificate for 2 days off (the day of donation and the next day), a monetary compensation for food (about 5% of the subsistence minimum). In some regions, additional benefits (discount on utilities, free transportation). In other countries, there are their own bonuses.

Myths that hinder donation

Myth 1: you can get infected. Refuted above. Myth 2: donation weakens the body. Regular donation stimulates the renewal of blood, increases immunity. Myth 3: gain or lose weight - no. Myth 4: it's not more painful than a regular injection. Myth 5: you can't have tattoos - you can, a year after application. Myth 6: donors have lower blood pressure - temporarily. Myth 7: donation is contraindicated for vegetarians - if the hemoglobin level is normal, you can.

How to become a donor and where to donate

Find the nearest blood transfusion center or an outreach event. In Russia, there is a map of donation points on Yandex.Maps or on the "I am a Donor" portal. Usually, you need to make an appointment by phone or through the state services. Bring: passport, policy, SNILS. Do not have a heavy breakfast, sweet, eggs - better to drink tea with cookies. Rest well before donation. On the day of donation, do not smoke and take medications containing aspirin.

June 14: the history of the holiday

World Blood Donor Day was established in 2004 by the WHO, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation. The date is timed to the birthday of Karl Landsteiner (1868), an Austrian immunologist who discovered blood groups. The holiday is aimed at attracting volunteers and increasing blood safety. The motto for 2026 is: "Donate blood, donate plasma, share life."

Become a donor. It's simple, safe, and very necessary. You won't know the name of the person you help, but they will be alive. And perhaps one day you will find yourself in the position of a recipient. Blood can't be bought in a pharmacy. It can only be given by a person.

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