Giving blood
- Donating blood
- Supplying blood for serum
Context
There is still no viable substitute for human blood in medical care, where it is used for transfusions for everything from bleeding disorders to trauma, surgeries, and organ transplant. In addition to an ongoing need, maintaining a sufficient blood supply is complicated by its limited shelf life. Unless it is frozen, donated blood must be used within a few weeks or it will spoil.
People can give whole blood every eight weeks, plasma every four weeks and platelets 24 times a year.
Claim
Given the history of blood donation as altruism, we can see how, in an era in which altruism is in short supply -- and even viewed with suspicion -- the blood supply might come up short.
Counter-claim
While giving blood is often touted as a noble act, it is not an urgent problem in society. The blood supply is generally stable, and many people are unaware of the actual need. Focusing on more pressing issues, such as healthcare access or disease prevention, would yield greater benefits. The emphasis on blood donation distracts from addressing systemic health challenges that truly impact lives. Let's prioritize solutions that tackle the root causes of health disparities instead.
Broader
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Related
SDG
Metadata
Database
Global strategies
Type
(G) Very specific strategies
Subject
Medicine » Blood
Commerce » Purchasing, supplying
Content quality
Yet to rate
Language
English
1A4N
W6341
DOCID
13363410
D7NID
208259
Last update
Dec 3, 2024