For Donors

In our society the word “donor” rings like the word “hero.” A donor is a person who overcomes their ego, their fear and unpleasant sensations in order to help others, who complicates their own life, endures discomfort and spends their precious time so that other people can become happier, regain health, get their lives back, or welcome a long-awaited child. Donation is a worthy step taken by a worthy individual.

A person can donate many components. The most common are blood and/or its components. This material can be used for research purposes or transfused to people who need it. Medicines and various medical devices can also be produced from donated blood.

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day. Statistics tell us that every person on the planet needs donated blood at least once in their lifetime. So when you donate blood, you are also helping yourself. In Russia there is a shortage of donors, so programs aimed at increasing their numbers are being implemented.

Blood donation has a positive effect on the body. For example, excess blood or its components is removed, the likelihood of cardiovascular disease is reduced, haematopoiesis is actively stimulated and the immune system is strengthened; the body also learns to cope with possible future blood loss.

In addition to blood, men can donate sperm and women — eggs. This can help couples who are unable to have children for various reasons to achieve what they want — a healthy baby. It can also support ongoing research, for instance into infertility, contribute to the advancement of reproductive medicine, or help in the study of new medical products.

Organ donation should not be forgotten either. Some people take this difficult step to save the lives of loved ones or even strangers — and that is truly heroic.

Donation is a serious, voluntary act. Everyone must make the decision independently, based on their own personal motives and wishes. Donation may or may not be paid — sometimes it is entirely gratuitous. In some cases payment is forbidden by law. But the point here is not the financial matters but the very fact of helping another human being, other people.

A donor is, above all, a healthy person. They must not have conditions that could harm others, and they must not have conditions for which even minimal blood loss would be dangerous. Therefore, before becoming a donor, a person must disclose any existing ailments and undergo a medical examination.