Blood Donation

Blood Donation Name: Course: Instructor: Date: Over the years, there have been numerous medical advancements made that have revolutionized medical sciences. However, there are areas that need to be addressed to cement the advancements made. Blood transfusions have been the heart of medical practices for centuries. The need for human blood for medical purposes is ever on the increase. However, the blood supply does not meet the demand for medical procedure. Blood donations have been part of health strategies for years. The impact blood transfusions have on medical practices cannot be emphasized. Blood donations needed for medical procedures do not meet the national demand. This lead to the need to create awareness for the need to stock blood banks all over in order to provide blood during medical emergencies. Through public sensitization, the public has awareness for the need for donation (World Health Organization, 2002). However, there are impacts to sensitization; therefore, this paper will seek to highlight the causes and effects of blood donation advertisement. In the early 1970s, the World Health organization (WHO) advocated for blood donations without remunerations. In the earlier years, blood donations were done mainly by individuals who mostly needed to make a quick dollar. This was because blood banks ran blood drives that paid donors in one way or another. Apart from these individuals, a good portion of the public donated blood only during rare occasions like when their relative had a medical emergency. However, it became apparent that this strategy only worked for a short while and a permanent solution to the problem of blood shortage needed to be addressed. Through blood drive, public health institutions have been able to sensitize the public on the importance of blood donations. However, over the years, there have been increased efforts in creating public awareness. Through advertising, blood banks across the country have been able to increase the amount of blood in storage (World Health Organization, 2002). Blood does not have a very long shelf life. This is because of the biological components that make up human blood. Bloods short shelf life is one of the main causes of blood shortage all over the world. Blood can only be stored for a short period of time. If donated blood is not used within a specified period, the blood becomes useless and is disposed of. Therefore, there is a need for constant supply of fresh blood all the time. This will ensure the blood needed for medical procedures is available. Availability of fresh viable blood can be ensured by regular blood donations. This can be achieved by increased public sensitization over time. Blood donated have to be screened and put under tests to ensure the recipients do not become infected. Donors may not be aware that they have a condition in their blood that may not allow them to be viable donors. The screening process ensures that clean fresh blood is used on patients. Blood disorders such as HIV and Hepatitis are some of the blood disorders that are checked. These are disorders that are communicable through blood transfusions. However, there are also other disorders that can such as coagulopathy are as a result of other bodily fluids. After blood screening, the amount of blood available for use by blood banks reduces significantly. This has a negative effect on the total supply of blood. Therefore, through creating awareness through blood drives and public sensitization, blood banks can ensure the blood collected through donors is clean and fresh. There are various effects blood donation advertisements have had over the years. First, blood donation advertisement has created more public awareness. People used to fear donating blood and there were myths on the side effects of blood donations (World Health Organization, 2002). Through advertising, blood banks have been able to lift the veil on blood donation and the effects. Blood banks have been able to edu...