Blood Donation
Inextricably linked to the challenges of cancer is the critical role of blood donation. Every year, the global demand for blood continues to rise, and this precious resource remains irreplaceable by artificial means or pharmaceutical alternatives. It is only through the selfless contribution of voluntary blood donors that the essential needs of healthcare institutions can be met, especially when managing clinical situations as diverse as life-saving surgeries, organ transplants, and traumatic wounds.
In our nation, the demand for blood takes on an even greater significance, primarily due to the alarming number of road accidents. These accidents often result in severe injuries requiring substantial blood transfusions to save lives. In such critical moments, donated blood becomes an invaluable lifeline.
It's crucial to recognize the profound impact of blood donation in the context of cancer care as well. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can weaken a patient's immune system, making them more susceptible to infections and anemia. In these cases, blood transfusions can provide the necessary support by replenishing vital blood components like red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, which are frequently depleted during treatment.
Moreover, cancer patients undergoing complex surgical procedures, bone marrow transplants, or treatments that target rapidly dividing cells may also require blood transfusions to manage complications and enhance their chances of recovery.
Therefore, raising awareness about the significance of blood donation is not only essential for those in need of blood during accidents but also for cancer patients in their battle against this formidable disease. By donating blood, individuals are contributing to a broader community of patients, helping to ensure that vital resources are readily available to save lives, irrespective of the medical condition or emergency at hand. Blood donation truly embodies the spirit of humanity, where the selfless act of one person can have a ripple effect, positively impacting countless lives, including those battling cancer.
As a team we decided to organize a blood donation in collaboration with "Vein of Life" (fleva zois), a student non-profit voluntary blood donation group of the University of Patras. We were very pleased with the turnout and participation of the public, as a large number of volunteer blood donors donated blood. The high participation rates were noted after we had informed the public, the friends who support the team's course and the people of the university with informative brochures and related posts on social media, several days before the blood donation took place. This was aimed at the proper preparation of our volunteer blood donors and their personal safety. We also gave them to fill in appropriately structured questionnaires.They were asked to answer the question ‘How do you deal psychologically with blood donation?',with the ultimate aim of making them even more aware of the subject our group deals with and of blood collection in general.
Volunteer Testimonies
- “Very good because it doesn't cost me anything!!!”
- “It is very important and it is our obligation, because this is how we help our fellow human beings”
- “It is very important and I think it is a standard procedure”
- “Relaxed, free of stress”
- “I think it is a beautiful act for my fellow man. I do what I would like others to do for my own people"
- “I'm not afraid at all. I am very happy and it would be very important to help someone in need"
- “Here, the environment is very friendly and the kids are awesome. Blood donation gives a great experience because it gives life!"
- “Naturally, I'm just a little stressed"
- “Positively, depending on the purpose for which it is done"
- “It's cool"
- “It is quite a stressful process but manageable"
- “With joy and fun!!!"
- “With slight stress"
- “With great pleasure I can donate"
- “All normal, no stress" “Psychologically it doesn't affect me and it doesn't have any effect on me”
- “It is quite important to help in any way we can"
- “Support from friends"
- “I don't even think about it"
- “A necessary action that is very helpful to our fellow human beings"
- “It's an act of love and awareness"
- “Very well"
- “As a voluntary action"
- “It worries me slightly because in the past I have had bad experiences with doctors l and people who handle needles"
- “Pretty good"
Quastionnaire
Our questionnaire included six questions in total, from which we gleaned valuable data about the public's level of knowledge on topics related to synthetic biology, cancer and diseases in general. In the first three questions concerning synthetic biology, few people had a good complete knowledge of the subject, but most of them also knew the fields of its applications. In the fourth question dealing with what cancer is, the majority of people know completely to very well what the disease is. The fifth question related to the origin of the disease in humans showed that almost everyone knows that it is related to their genetic background, diet and environment. In the last question on whether psychological support should be provided to people suffering from cancer, it was evident that it is very important and must always be provided.
These conclusions are easily drawn from the following diagrams:
