What is blood?

Blood is a liquid connective tissue which provides the fluid medium for various processes. It helps in the transport of oxygen to various tissues, carries nutrients to the tissues and waste material from the tissues to the kidneys and lungs for purification. It also plays a major role in the defense mechanism of the body and protects the body from infection and also maintains the body temperature.

Where is Blood made?

Blood is made in the bone marrow which is present inside the cavity of bones.

What are Blood groups?

Human blood is broadly classified into A, B, AB, and O groups determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. These groups are used to determine which blood is most suitable for a patient.

What are blood components?

Blood is a mixture of :-

RBCs
WBCs
Plasma
Platelets

Each and every part has a specified function and specific storage temperature. We separate the blood unit donated by you into components namely

Packed RBCs
Platelet concentrate
Fresh Frozen Plasma
Cryoprecipitate

Thus, you can save Four lives by donating a single unit of blood.

Different Storage Conditions and shelf life:-

Different Storage Conditions and self life

Components	Temperature	Shelf-life
Red cells	4° C	35/42 days
FFP/CPP	-40° C	1 year
Platelets	22° C	5 days with agitation
CRYO	-30° C	1 Year

World Blood Donor Day falls on the birthday of Karl Landsteiner (June 14, 1868). He created the ABO blood group system, which is still used today to ensure the safety of blood transfusions. Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The event serves to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.

Dr(Prof) J.G Jolly (1st Oct 1926 ) Emeritus Prof of Dept of Transfusion Medicine,PGI, Chandigarh pioneered the voluntary blood donation movement in India and regarded as the "Father of Transfusion Medicine in India" On his birthday, 1st Oct, we celebrate national Voluntary Blood donation Day every year. He spearheaded the campaign to prohibit sale & purchase of blood from professional donors in India, which was later incorporated in national Blood policy of India by Govt. of India.