World Blood Donor Day: Who can donate blood? Myths and facts to know
Every drop of blood counts when it is given to someone struggling for life. What might just be a regular donation for you, could help a person continue their life alongside their loved ones in good health.
Being a donor is more than just performing a civic duty, it is being a giver, one who shares a bit of their life with the others.
June 14th is being celebrated as World Donor Day around the world, urging people to donate blood and enlightening them about the importance of it. However, sometimes we hesitate to donate due to some myths we have heard around by people. Who can donate blood and what are some common myths and facts related to blood donation? Find out below!
World Blood Donor Day
Image credits: Getty Images
Each year, June 14 is celebrated as World Blood Donor Day.
The day raises awareness on the need of safe blood and blood products and as a gratitude to the voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
The theme of World Blood Donor Day changes every year and for 2025 it is 'Give blood, give hope', honouring the hope one gives with every drop of blood.
The day was started in 2004, followed by its formal designation as an annual event by the 58th World Health Assembly in 2005.
It is celebrated particularly on June 14 to honour Karl Landsteiner, Austrian biologist and physician considered to be the "founder" of modern blood transfusion that saves thousands of lives every year.
Who can donate blood?
Image credits: Getty Images
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most people can give blood if they are healthy. Though there are some basic eligibility criteria.
Age
: People between the ages of 18 and 65 can donate blood.
Weight
: You have to weigh at least 50 kg to be able to donate blood.
Health
: You must be in good health while donating blood and avoid it if you are suffering from cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection. Additionally, you can not donate if you don't meet the minimum haemoglobin level for blood donation. In some countries, the haemoglobin level of no less than 12.0 g/dl for females and 13.9g/dl for males is considered the threshold.
Myths and facts to know about blood donation
Image credits: Getty Images
Those donating blood for the first time or after some new activity may face a problem with some myths circulating around about blood donations.
These are the common myths and facts you must know before donating.
Myth: People with tattoos or piercings can't donate
People with fresh tattoos or piercings need to have a gap between their tattoos or piercings and blood donation. In the US, you need to wait for three months before donating in such a case, but the time period varies in different countries.
Myth: I will feel weak or ill after the donation
While you feel a bit lightheaded after donation, the fluids are recuperated in the body within 24 hours and the red cells fully regenerate within weeks.
Myth: You can only donate with a certain blood type
Every person who has a specific blood group might need blood in case of a medical condition. Thus, blood donation is not limited to a particular blood type. While O-negative is universal, every blood type comes in handy during emergencies.
Myth: Vegetarians or vegans can't donate blood
Healthy iron and haemoglobin levels are required for donating blood, no matter what kind of diet you follow. If you are someone suffering from iron deficiency then you could be temporarily deferred from donating but not because of a diet you consume.
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'I now have no tumors': Jerry Jones reveals he secretly fought and beat stage 4 cancer in emotional Netflix Cowboys documentary
Jerry Jones opens up about beating stage 4 cancer (Getty Images) For more than ten years, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones carried a secret far from the bright lights of the NFL stage. The 82-year-old recently revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma back in 2010—a fight that involved multiple surgeries, experimental drugs, and a battle against steep odds. His disclosure came after the Dallas Morning News picked up on a subtle reference in Netflix's upcoming America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, set to premiere Aug. 19. Jerry Jones credits PD-1 therapy and elite medical care for survival Jerry Jones said his life was saved by a groundbreaking immunotherapy drug known as PD-1, paired with expert medical care at Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center. 'I was saved by a fabulous treatment and great doctors and a real miracle [drug] called PD-1 [therapy],' Jones told the Dallas Morning News. 'I went into trials for that PD-1 and it has been one of the great medicines. I now have no tumors.' America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys | Final Trailer | Netflix His journey was far from simple. Over the decade, Jones underwent two lung surgeries and two lymph node surgeries while navigating the emotional toll of a stage 4 diagnosis. According to the Melanoma Research Alliance, this is the most advanced stage, where cancer cells have spread beyond the skin to other parts of the body. The American Cancer Society estimates that the five-year survival rate for stage 4 melanoma hovers around 35%, though recent drug advancements have significantly improved outcomes. Jones' survival stands as a testament to how medical innovation can rewrite even the most daunting prognoses. Studies, such as one from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, now suggest survival rates for advanced cases can approach 50%—a leap forward that Jones experienced firsthand. Cowboys documentary sheds light on hidden chapter of Jerry Jones' life The revelation emerged from a surprising source—a Netflix docuseries chronicling the Cowboys' highs and lows during Jones' tenure. In the fifth episode, he drops a passing remark about undergoing cancer treatments 'about a dozen years ago.' That offhand comment prompted deeper questions from the Dallas Morning News, ultimately leading to his candid admission. The series, filmed over two years with more than 40 hours of interviews, not only captures the legendary owner's business acumen but also the personal resilience that shaped him. In one memorable scene, Jones humorously recalls a doctor's advice to meditate on people who irritate him—starting with former coach Jimmy Johnson. 'I can't get past that first mother…,' he quips, underscoring how his trademark wit endured even in the face of illness. Jerry Jones' story adds a new layer to his public legacy—one not defined solely by football trophies and franchise decisions, but by a battle fought in silence, and won with determination and grit. Also Read: How long will the Packers be without Jordan Love after his thumb ligament injury and surgery? Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Scientists find a gut microbe that works as a natural alternative to Ozempic
Image credits: Getty Images Science has made life way easier than it could ever have been without it. From antidotes and vaccines to alternatives, when science is at work, everything is possible. In a surprising turn of events, scientists may have just found a way to naturally regulate blood sugar levels and sugar cravings without the use of injectables such as Ozempic. A gut microbe and its metabolites proved to be the key in unlocking the natural process in humans and mice due to the compound it produced during digestion, as per a study published in Nature Microbiology. Researchers led by a team at Jiangnan University in China showed how they can "orchestrate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1" in diabetic mice by increasing the abundance of this particular gut microbe. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body and helps it regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of fullness. Its release is stimulated by certain foods and gut microbes, and its mechanism of action is mimicked by drugs like semaglutide, the ingredient behind Ozempic. Ozempic comes in as a saviour for people with type 2 diabetes who have an impaired GLP-1 function, thus causing issues with blood sugar control. These drugs mimic the natural processes in the body, and while they are highly effective, researchers do want to probe how to get the body to produce more GLP-1 on its own. "A growing body of research has revealed that our cravings for dietary components originate from signals sent from the gut, a key organ in transmitting dietary preferences," explained the authors in the paper. "However, which genes, gut flora, and metabolites in the gut microenvironment are involved in the regulation of sugar preference is currently unclear." Which gut microbe is it? Image credits: Getty Images The research suggests gut microbes like Bacteroides vulgatus and their metabolites may help shape a person's sweet tooth. In the experiments, if mice could not produce a gut protein called Ffar4, the gut colonies of reduced. This, in turn, reduced the release of a hormone called FGF21, which it connected to sugar cravings. The GLP-1 options when used in mice, are known to stimulate FGF21. Meanwhile, in humans, some studies suggest that those with variants of the FGF21 hormone are about 205 times more likely to be top-ranking consumers of sweet foods. In a blood analysis of 60 participants with type 2diabetes and 24 healthy controls, researchers in China found that Ffar4 mutations that reduce FGF21 production are linked to an increased preference for sugar, "which may be an important contributor to the development of diabetes." However, when mice were treated with a metabolite of it boosted GLP-1 secretion and also triggered the secretion of FGF21. This meant more blood sugar control and less sugar cravings in mice.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
What happens to your lungs after one year in a highly polluted city like Delhi
If you've been living in Delhi for a year or more, chances are your lungs have already started to feel the impact, even if you're otherwise healthy. Delhi's air quality, especiallyduring the winter months, routinely crosses alarmingly high pollution levels. PM2.5, fine particulate matter known to infiltrate deep into the lungs, often climbs beyond 255 μg/m³, occasionally touching 400–500 μg/m³ during smog episodes. For context, India's own safe limit, under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), is 40 μg/m³. So what does this mean for your lungs after one year in the capital? The data on Delhi air Several health studies suggest a worrying trend. A recent comparative analysis showed that 40.3% of Delhi residents have reduced lung function — double the rate observed in areas with significantly cleaner air. One particularly striking figure: 2.2 million children in Delhi are already showing signs of lung damage. Nearly one in three children suffers from some form of respiratory difficulty. Adults aren't spared either. Even those without pre-existing conditions report more frequent respiratory infections, shortness of breath, and a lingering cough that simply doesn't go away. In fact, the likelihood of developing chronic respiratory symptoms in Delhi is 1.7 times higher than in places like Pauri Garhwal, a region with far cleaner air. Pollution alters your lungs In the first few months of exposure, symptoms might be mild — a sore throat, an occasional wheeze, or a nagging cold. But over time, the lungs adapt in ways that aren't healthy. Medical specialists warn that by the 4–8 month mark, the lungs are in a state of chronic inflammation. They're working harder to filter the air, leading to cellular changes that can impair function. By the end of a full year, long-term exposure sets in. Lung capacity decreases, particularly in children and older adults. For those with asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), this can mean more frequent flare-ups and hospital visits. Some research even indicates that exposure to these levels of air pollution can reduce overall lung growth in children — an effect that may be irreversible. Air pollution and cancer While most people associate Delhi's air with coughing and wheezing, there's a darker and more permanent consequence — cancer. According to the World Health Organization and the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), air pollution is now classified as a Group 1 carcinogen — in the same category as tobacco. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 and other pollutants has been directly linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, especially in non-smokers. In fact, studies suggest that in heavily polluted urban environments, non-smokers can face nearly the same risk of developing lung cancer as light smokers. Emerging research has also found possible associations between air pollution and other cancers, including bladder, breast, and even childhood leukaemia, although more data is needed on the subject. Delhi's rising cancer incidence, particularly lung cancer in non-smoking individuals, mirrors global patterns seen in cities with poor air quality. Who is most at risk? While everyone breathes the same air, certain groups are more vulnerable. These include: children, whose lungs are still developing; elderly individuals, often with pre-existing heart or lung conditions; pregnant women, due to potential impacts on foetal development; asthmatics and COPD patients, who experience more severe reactions and urban non-smokers, now facing rising lung cancer rates due to prolonged pollutant exposure. What you can do Moving out of Delhi is not an option for many. There are however, some practical measures you can take to protect your lungs. These include: staying indoors on high pollution days, especially early mornings and evenings; using air purifiers at home, preferably with HEPA filters; wearing N95/N99 masks when going outside — surgical masks simply don't offer enough protection; monitoring your health by perhaps considering an annual lung function test, especially if symptoms persist; eating smart with a diet rich in antioxidants — think fruits, vegetables, and nuts — that may help reduce inflammation caused by pollutants and avoiding smoking or passive smoke as when combined with air pollution, the cancer risk multiplies. The bigger picture Air pollution contributes to an estimated 1.5 million premature deaths in India each year, including deaths due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, strokes — and increasingly, cancer. Delhi's authorities have introduced the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and are promoting electric vehicles and cleaner fuel standards. While these are steps in the right direction, change will be slow. In the meantime, protecting your health is a personal responsibility. If you've spent a year in Delhi and notice changes in your breathing, stamina, or general health, don't dismiss these symptoms as 'just the weather.' They may be early signs of something bigger. Consult a healthcare provider, especially if you have a persistent cough, chest discomfort, or unexplained fatigue. Stay informed about the air quality index (AQI). Make your home a clean-air zone. And above all, don't ignore what your body is trying to tell you: your lungs may not get a second chance. (Dr. Raajit Chanana, Senior Consultant, Dharamshila Narayana Hospital, Delhi. drraajitchanana@
