“India suffers from severe blood shortage. The number of blood donors is not increasing due to several misconceptions among the potential donors. The most common myth is that after donating blood, one may lose weight or become weak. Donating blood is actually good for health because fresh blood is generated in the body to compensate for the loss.

Many donors are wary of the needle prick. To address this, experts drawing blood should use good quality blood bags and bag needles to ensure that the prick is least painful. Some donors worry about the risk of contracting a disease or infection. This is also incorrect. Donors have the least risk of contracting any disease or infection. The risk is on the recipient side, not the donor side.

Lastly, donors not only give blood, they also give their time for blood donation. This effort of donors for a social cause should be recognized by hospitals by extending some recognition and preferences to them for the noble deed. For instance, donors should get discounts and priority at hospitals for checkups or during registration. There is a need for a national campaign to address the various myths related to blood donation and encourage more and more people, especially the youth, to donate blood.“