Human Resources Management
is not only managing the employees within the organization but also guide them
to work for each other as a team as well as extend the helping hands for
others. Today, I am posting this article about “Donating Blood” to aware HR
personnel and increase their love and care for others.
Why the Blood Donation?
It’s a voluntary act of
allowing one's blood to be drawn out-of-body has many advantages besides giving
that wonderful feeling of saving someone's life. The blood donated is stored in
blood banks, to be subsequently used for transfusion. No doubt the first and foremost
advantage of donating blood is the exalted feeling of saving someone's life. If
we donate the little excess blood in our body, it could save someone's life
without creating any problem for us. Instead it would help to alleviate some
major health problems like heart diseases. Blood donation is an excellent way
to get rid of excess iron accumulated in our body due to its overconsumption.
Excess iron in the body can stimulate the formation of free radicals, which are
responsible for causing damage to body cells and tissues. Free radicals are
also associated with many diseases like heart diseases and cancer.
By donating blood individual specially the men have
higher chance to reduced their iron overloading. This iron overloading is also thought to increase the risk of
heart diseases. Besides, iron oxidizes cholesterol, which is harmful for the
arteries. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease characterized by excess
accumulation of iron in the tissues due to improper metabolism. The disease can
cause damage to many organs like pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. It may also
cause diabetes, liver diseases and heart diseases. So, donating blood
on a regular basis would help you to regulate the level of iron in your body.
Studies have shown that donating blood regularly can be beneficial for the
heart and circulatory system and can reduce the risk of heart diseases,
especially among young people.
Besides, blood donation also burns the extra calories and reduces your cholesterol level. After donating blood, the count of blood cells decreases in our body, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in order to replenish the loss. So, it stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system.
Role of HR Personnel about Donating Blood:
I am sure none of the prominent HR professional will
claim that they don’t work for the people, by the people. HR practitioners not
only work for the betterment of the employee’s of the organization as well as
for the betterment of the society. Some may conceptualize it at Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) or whatever. HRM is always near to those who need
the helps from others.
HR professional have the adequate opportunity to
arrange the blood donation camp as well as make them as a hero or idol by start
donating blood first. They need to put the examples of work for others by
arranging such activities. They are the spokesman for the organization as well
as the leader for the team. So, they need to take this initiative first.
They have to aware employees that there are no major disadvantages of donating blood, except
that sometimes one may experience a drop in blood pressure due to hypovolemia
(a state of reduced blood volume), which may necessitate cancellation of
donation. Sometimes, one may also experience mild nausea or dizziness for a
short while. But if you compare the health benefits and mental satisfaction
that comes from saving a life, you will feel that benefits of this act of
charity are not only restricted to the recipient, but also helps the donor
immensely.
Besides making aware the
employee about benefits of donating blood, HR department can arrange the blood
donation camp in the University and other job camp as part of their CSR. I do believe
that Blood Donation campaign can brings more benefits to them comparing to the
thousand dollars advertisement.
Pic Source: http://www.gbsmalaysia.org/images/bloodbank.jpg
Iron overloading is also thought to increase the
risk of heart diseases. Besides, iron oxidizes cholesterol, which is harmful
for the arteries. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease characterized by excess
accumulation of iron in the tissues due to improper metabolism. The disease can
cause damage to many organs like pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. It may also
cause diabetes, liver diseases and heart diseases. So, donating blood on a regular
basis would help you to regulate the level of iron in your body. Studies have
shown that donating blood regularly can be beneficial for the heart and
circulatory system and can reduce the risk of heart diseases, especially among
young people.Besides, blood donation also burns the extra calories and reduces your cholesterol level. After donating blood, the count of blood cells decreases in our body, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in order to replenish the loss. So, it stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system.
Before donating blood, your hemoglobin level will be tested. If it is low, then you will not be allowed to donate blood. Besides hemoglobin, your blood pressure level and body weight will also be checked. In addition, your blood will also be examined for detecting the presence of five diseases, namely, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS and malaria. If you are not suffering from these diseases, only then you will be allowed to donate your blood.
Few Facts about Blood Donation:
·
Whole blood donors can donate as frequently
as every 56 days. A benefit from donating this often is that you receive a
mini-physical once every two months.
·
Each whole blood donation can help as many as
three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets,
and plasma.
·
Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only
come as a gift from people.
·
The need for blood increases during holidays
and summer months. People are more apt to be traveling and active during these
times and thus are at an increased risk for accidents.
·
Statistics show that 25 percent or more of us
will require blood at least once in our lifetime.
Reasons that inspires you for Donating
Blood:
· 60% of the population will need blood at some
time in their lives, yet less than 5% of the population donates.
· Disasters like car accidents, fires, and
other trauma cases happen every day and these patients need blood, and rarely
do they need only one pint. A bleeding trauma victim can run through 100 units
of blood in no time.
· Donating blood is safe and a healthy thing to
do. Not only do you get a free mini physical, including blood pressure check,
heart rate, temperature and iron levels, but it's the fastest way to lose a
pound!
· For men, there is a life-saving benefit to
donating blood. Men are at higher risk for "hemochromatosis or iron
overload" a potentially deadly problem where too much iron builds up in the
blood. It can lead to heart disease and other major health problems. Research
shows if men give blood 3 times a year, they can reduce their iron overload and
therefore their risk of a heart attack by as much as 50%!
· Blood donors are true heroes. In fact, your
one blood donation will be broken down into several components, enabling you,
with just one donation, to save up to three lives!
© Shaki, Ahmed R (2012), Candidate of PhD in HRM, UUM
