Everyone can save a life: doctors of the Zainsk Central District Hospital - about blood and bone marrow donation

      From April 13 to 19, Russia is holding a Week of Blood and Bone Marrow Donation Promotion, timed to coincide with National Donor Day (April 20). Medical professionals in Zainsk explain why this is important, where to donate blood if it cannot be done at the clinic, and how their colleagues set a personal example. Every minute in Russia, someone needs a blood transfusion. This can be mothers with complications, victims of traffic accidents, patients in oncology departments, or people with rare blood diseases. Donation is not just an act of goodwill; it is a conscious step on which thousands of lives depend. And although blood cannot be donated at the GAUZ "Zainsk Central District Hospital," it does not mean that the city's residents cannot become part of the donor movement. On the contrary, there are more and more reasons to participate. "We donate blood ourselves": an example from medical professionals Contrary to the common belief that doctors "don't have time" or they "know everything about the risks," many employees of the Zainsk Central District Hospital are experienced donors. Medical workers understand better than anyone the shortage of blood components in emergency situations. Medical professionals remind us: even if your clinic does not have its own blood collection point, you can go to the nearest blood transfusion center. The main thing is the desire and adherence to simple rules. Blood: these 450 ml save three lives Donating whole blood is the most well-known type of donation. Just 450 ml of blood (about 10% of the total volume) can save the lives of three patients, as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Who can become a blood donor: · Age from 18 years. · Weight over 50 kg. · Absence of chronic diseases and contraindications. · Citizens of the Russian Federation or individuals legally residing in the country for more than a year. How to prepare (recommendations from doctors at the Zainsk Central District Hospital): · 48 hours before: completely exclude alcohol. · 72 hours before: do not take aspirin and analgesics. · The day before: a light dinner without fatty, fried, dairy, eggs, bananas, nuts, and beets. · In the morning on the day of donation: sweet tea, a cracker, porridge in water. Fasting is not allowed! The procedure itself takes only 10–15 minutes and is practically painless. Important: blood cannot be donated at the Zainsk Central District Hospital itself — there is no equipment for collection, storage, and certification of donor material. For this, you need to go to the nearest blood transfusion center (for example, in Naberezhnye Chelny or Nizhnekamsk). However, you can get a referral and consultation about contraindications from your therapist in Zainsk. Bone marrow: a chance of 1 in 10,000 If blood donation is relatively simple, bone marrow donation is surrounded by myths and fears. Doctors are eager to dispel the main one: most often, stem cells are collected not through a puncture in the bone, but from a vein, just like with regular plasma donation (apheresis method). Why is this necessary? In cases of leukemia, lymphoma, and severe immune disorders, healthy foreign blood cells are the only chance for the patient. Genetic compatibility between the donor and recipient is rare; only 1 in 10,000 people is a match for a specific patient. How to join the bone marrow donor registry: · Age from 18 to 35 years (preferably, although some registries accept up to 45). · Citizenship of the Russian Federation or residence in the country for more than a year. · Absence of medical contraindications (HIV, hepatitis, oncology, tuberculosis, mental disorders, pregnancy). To join the registry, it is enough to donate 9 ml of blood from a vein or a swab from the mouth at a specialized center to conduct typing (determine the genetic code). If your cells match a specific patient (which can happen in a year or in 10 years), you will be invited for the procedure. Myths about donation: a conversation with a doctor Myth 1: "Donating blood is harmful." Truth: Blood renewal stimulates the immune system and hematopoietic system. Donors have fewer heart attacks. The safe volume (450 ml) is restored by the body in 2–3 days. Myth 2: "If I donate blood, I will be sick forever." Truth: The procedure is performed using strictly single-use sterile systems. Infection is impossible. Myth 3: "Bone marrow donation is a scary operation on the spine." Truth: In 80% of cases, cells are taken from a vein. In 20% of cases, a puncture is made in the pelvic bone (not the spine!) under anesthesia. This is safe, and after a couple of days, the donor returns to normal life. Official information This information was prepared by the doctors of GAUZ "Zainsk Central District Hospital" as part of the implementation of the national project "Long and Active Life." The Week of Donation Promotion in Russia runs from April 13 to 19. National Donor Day on April 20 is a great reason to perform a good deed. Where to turn for residents of Zainsk? 1. For consultation on contraindications — to the therapist at the Central District Hospital clinic. 2. For blood donation — to the Republican Blood Transfusion Center (branches in Naberezhnye Chelny or Nizhnekamsk). 3. To join the bone marrow donor registry — visit km.donorstvo.org or the nearest event in major cities of Tatarstan. Remember: your genetic twin, who needs help, already exists. Perhaps right now, they are waiting for a call from you.