Access to Health / CSR | April 23, 2015

Why You Should be a frequent Blood Donor

The power of blood! Have you ever wondered about the life saving power of blood? Especially to a road accident victim, a mother in the delivery theatre, to someone battling cancer, someone undergoing medical surgery or any other patient in need?

Isn’t it incredible what a deliverance a single pint of human blood can bring? Did you know that a single pint of blood can save up to three human beings?

Our hospitals are always in need of blood for patients therein; a fact that informs the importance of maintaining a blood bank in a society. In Kenya, it is estimated that the practice of donating blood is at a 70 per cent deficit compared to the national population size; and the responsibility for managing blood collection and transfusion is managed by the National Blood Transfusion service which is supported by several other organizations to achieve its mandate.

Total Kenya actively contributes towards the efforts of the National Blood Transfusion service by holding two annual blood donation drives for its employees at the Head Quarters and the Depots. This year (2015) the company has dedicated the first drive to the victims of the Garissa Terror attack by holding a public blood transfusion drive at Total Limuru Road service station on 24/04/2015. This drive is open to all Total employees, customers and the neighbourhood.

Benefits of donating blood

There are several benefits associated with donating blood, namely:

1. Personal fulfillment – Human blood has no perfect substitute; therefore, it is always deeply fulfilling to know that you have helped a doctor save a life.
2. Free Health Check-up – The blood donation exercise consists of a series of health check-ups that are performed on the donor free of cost. This will help you know of any blood pressure abnormalities, blood temperature, haemoglobin levels and check your pulse rate.
3. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease – Regular blood donations help to keep the levels of iron in the body in check, especially in males. This has shown to reduce heart disease.
4. Burns Calories – One blood donation session can help you shed 650 Kcal thus help in body weight control
5. Reduce the Risk of Cancer – Frequent blood donation is said to help reduce high levels of iron which are believed to be a key contributor for cancer. It is therefore believed that donating blood will reduce the risk of cancers.

You have more than one reason to donate blood. Donate blood whenever you can and help save lives.