Beneficial to both donor and recipient

World Blood Donor Day 2008 was marked yesterday, and the UAE was in the forefront among Arab nations by being selected by the World Health Organisation to host the event.

The voluntary giving of blood is a noble and patriotic act which should be recognised by all participants. Most frequently, it is only in times of need that most people become aware of the necessity to give blood, and sometimes that awareness is brought about when a relative or friend is in desperate need of a transfusion to save life.

A healthy adult can give blood two or three times a year without suffering any harm. In fact, the reverse may be nearer the truth since it is known that the giving and natural replenishment of blood in a person helps the body to maintain healthy blood.

Therefore, blood donations are not only beneficial to the recipient, but also to the donor.