Following an acute shortage of blood in the country, and Jinja Hospital being one of the worst hit with up to 5 people dying every day, the Eskom Uganda Communications team ran a blood donation campaign amongst staff to donate blood to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.
On Wednesday 19th June 2013, Eskom Uganda together with the Uganda Red Cross – Jinja Blood Centre medical team, partnered in this cause to carry out a blood donation exercise at the Nalubaale Power Station. As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, a good number of staff and trainees gladly heeded to the call and donated 24 units of blood.
It was a good experience learning the facts, getting involved, and donating blood to save life, and besides that, enjoying the refreshment that came with it.
Benefits of donating blood:
Recent researches have proved that not only is giving blood good for the patients in need, but it's good for the donor as he/she is at reduced risk for several severe diseases.
- A health check list is made every time someone donates blood, which means the donor will be able to find out if his blood pressure, pulse, and other vital organs are healthy.
- Giving blood leads to lowering the iron levels in the donor's body, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. High blood iron levels have the potential to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease because iron accelerates the oxidation process of cholesterol in the body, which damages arteries. Iron levels aren't the only factor that plays a role in a person's risk of heart disease, but there are certainly no downsides to lowering blood iron levels by donating blood regularly.
- Homogeneous blood donation is correlated with lower risks of cancers according to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, including liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat cancers. Risk levels dropping is related to the frequency of blood donation.
- Donating blood improves cardiovascular health. According to Florida Blood Services blood donors who donate regularly over years have an 88 percent lower risk of heart attacks and a 33 percent lower risk of any severe cardiovascular event, such as a stroke.
- Blood donation will allow the replenishment of the donor's blood supply which will help his body to function more efficiently. After donating, the human body replaces the blood volume within 48 hours of donation, and all of the red blood cells lost during donation are completely replaced within four to eight weeks. This process of replenishment can help your body stay healthy and work more efficiently and productively.
Giving blood to someone who needs it can do good to you too.
