Donating blood is synonymous with saving lives and an act of generosity and solidarity that characterizes our society. Donating blood is a simple, safe, and quick act, but its impact is immense: a single donation can save up to four lives. Therefore, if a person meets the requirements to donate blood, we always invite them to do so. Regarding the donation procedure, the expert noted: The blood collection lasts between 7 and 10 minutes. It takes place in a safe environment with single-use materials. Only one unit of blood is extracted, approximately 450 ml, and small samples for subsequent analysis. Where to donate blood? Donors can find out about volunteer blood reception centers nationwide by calling 0800-222-1002 or visiting the link: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/salud/donarsangre/donde, as the Ministry of Health provides information on 414 donation points throughout the country. «Voluntary and regular blood donation is important to ensure that those who need it can receive it on time. Because every drop of blood counts, and today someone else may need it, and tomorrow, any of us,» said the medical director of OSPEDYC. National Volunteer Blood Donor Day in Argentina is celebrated every November 9th to commemorate the historic first safe and effective blood transfusion performed by Dr. Luis Agote on November 9, 1914. It is a day dedicated to recognizing and honoring people who altruistically and recurrently contribute with their blood donation to save lives. «Every day, thousands of people in our country need a transfusion to keep living. It is an act of empathy that transcends the person who performs it, a way of reaching out to people we don't know, but who need us». Making donation a regular habit is fundamental, as blood has a limited shelf life and banks need a constant flow to be able to respond to emergencies or planned treatments. How is the donation procedure? «Donating doesn't hurt, what hurts is the lack of it, and the best we can do in this regard is to go to the nearest health center, find out about the requirements and join this silent network of people who choose to give life. That is why the solidarity of those who donate is the pillar that supports our health system. Accidents, surgeries, cancer treatments, complicated births or chronic diseases are just some of the situations in which blood can make the difference between life and death,» comments Dr. Valeria El Haj. In this sense, she added: «However, despite medical advances, there is still no artificial substitute for human blood».
