The Journey of Blood

Blood - the life source Slide 1: Blood is a scarce and vital resource which saves lives and improves the health of millions. Its main function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body while also carrying waste products, nutrients, hormones etc. It controls clotting, maintains the internal environment of our body and protects us against harmful organisms. It is used in conditions where there is excessive loss of blood like accidents, injuries and surgical operations and to treat diseases where there is a lack of a particular blood component.

Your blood consists of …… Slide 2: Your body has about 5 liters of blood which is about 7% of your body weight, but this amount varies with the age and gender of the person. Blood is made up several components - cells (45%) and a fluid part, the plasma (55%). The cells are of 3 types - red blood cells which transport oxygen in the body, white blood cells (of several types) that fight infection and platelets that help the blood to clot at times of injury. The plasma contains many vital proteins that are involved in blood clotting, defense against infection and several other functions.

Your gift of life Slide 3: Blood cannot be synthesized and its only source is you - blood donors. About 81 million units of blood are donated annually all over the world but less than half of this in areas of the world where nearly 80% of people live. It is estimated that if only 1 to 3% of the population donate blood, it will suffice to meet the country's needs.

You can save more than one patient Slide 4: Current transfusion practice avoids the use of whole blood and aims to provide the specific blood component needed in a particular patient. Thus, red blood cells are used for their ability to carry oxygen, platelets and plasma for some types of bleeding disorders and white blood cells (mainly a type called neutrophils) to fight infections. This way blood is utilized optimally and one unit of blood donated by you can be used to treat several patients.

You can donate a part of your blood Slide 5: Modern technology allows the removal of only a particular blood component while the rest of the blood is returned to you without affecting your health. Machines automatically collect and process blood to prepare large numbers of different blood cells by a procedure called cytapheresis. It is essential that every nation has a stable pool of healthy donors who donate blood regularly.

Slide 6: There has been a dramatic increase in safety of blood supplies, following the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Your donated blood is tested to find the blood group type and screened for infections like HIV, hepatitis B & C and syphilis. If you live in a country where malaria or Chagas disease are common, the blood may be tested for these too. A regular voluntary donor has been found to be the safest source of blood. Is your blood safe?

How is your blood stored? Slide 7: Your blood is a living tissue that has to be stored in special refrigerators in blood banks prior to use. Storage requires the use of non-toxic preservatives that can maintain the viability and function of cells. This has led to the development of a variety of chemicals that prevent clotting of blood, preservatives that maintain cells and newer storage materials that enhance the shelf life of blood and blood components so that it can be stored and transported for use.

Saving lives…. Slide 8: Your whole blood is used in conditions where there is extensive loss of blood like trauma due to accidents or injuries and many surgical procedures. It is also required in newborns who need an exchange transfusion. Plasma and plasma products are use to treat a variety of conditions that include bleeding, fluid loss, infections, immunological disease etc.

….Helping others Slide 9: Your red blood cells are given to patients suffering from severe anaemia arising from a variety of causes - genetic diseases like thalassaemia & sickle cell anaemia, chronic kidney or liver disease or severe malaria in children. Platelets are used to prevent bleeding in patients suffering from diseases that affect the number of platelets or their function. White blood cells are given to patients having low neutrophil counts suffering from severe bacterial or fungal infection, especially those following bone marrow transplant or cancer therapy.

We owe our life to you