By IKENNA ASOMBA

In an effort to save the lives of less privileged and sick patients in the society, students of Lagos State University-Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication (LASUAAOC), Surulere, last Wednesday, turned out en masse to donate pints of blood.

The voluntary blood donation exercise tagged: Youth Voluntary Un-paid Blood Donation Exercise, was organised by the Lagos State Government Ministry of Health Blood Transfusion Services in collaboration with Rotary International District 9110.

Allaying the fears of students about blood donation, and sensitizing them on the need to occasionally donate blood to save the lives of the sick, Deputy Director, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Services, Mrs. Temilade Alayande, described the exercise as a worthwhile refresher to the human system.

Mrs. Temilade Alayande (middle) sensitizing the students on the relevance of blood donation before the exercise.

She said that  students were expected to donate just 400 milliliters of blood, which is less than 10 per cent of what the human system contains.

She said: “People have this misconception about blood donation, that it’s an unhealthy exercise, amongst other fears. But I assure you as a medical expert that blood donation is necessary, once in three months.

“Every healthy individual has 10 litres of blood, so by the time they donate 400 milliliters, the body won’t feel anything. Rather, the bone marrow will start producing new cells that will within two to three weeks bring the blood level back to normal.”

Speaking further, Alayande recommended suitable health tips for the students. “I advise you to feed well; reduce your carbohydrate intake, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and reduce your oil intake.”

She added that the students should also ensure they take plenty of water on daily basis, undergo body exercises always,   sleep very well at night.

Some of the students who took part in the exercise expressed pleasure and satisfaction in contributing to the lives of the less privileged in the society, by donating one or more pints of blood, even without being paid.