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How do we encourage more Muslims to become blood donors?

14/06/2020 1059 Views Health Add to Favourite 10 Comments 5
 
I have read somewhere previously that the number of Muslim blood donors in the UK is generally very low in comparison to the Muslim population as a whole. As it is World Blood Donor Day today, I decided to have a conversation at breakfast with my family about becoming blood donors once we are able to safely give blood. I am so disappointed with their responses, even my own parents who I had a telephone conversation with just now. Some of the reasons are to an extent understandable, like needing to find the time and having to go out of the way to donate blood and would donate if it could be easier, like on a Friday at a mosque (once we are out of the pandemic). But other comments have really upset me. Like saying, how can they guarantee that the blood won't be given to someone undeserving like a child abuser, or that the person won't commit other sins. The whole conversation was very judgmental because who are we to decide who deserves to live or die? And more importantly, even if our blood did go to an alcoholic or abuser, we will not be held accountable for their sins so I don't see why it even matters. I've heard similar things when discussing organ donation but I never thought people actually thought that about blood donation as well. The conversations today have all ended bitterly (literally with my family saying I am killing the mood today) and I feel like I cannot have this conversation again. I want to donate blood one day but I am not sure they will be supportive of that. Has anyone been able to successfully change their families mind and they've become blood donors after showing lots of resistance?
NazminA

Lawyer specialising in Residential Development, Estate Management & General Infrastructure, and Co-Chair of Muslim Women's Network UK (All views & opinions expressed on MWN Hub are my own and unless expressly stated, should not be taken to represent the views of MWNUK)

 

10 Comments

  • Alisha

    16/06/2020

    In my opinion, organ and blood donation is an act of continuous charity. I would love to donate blood. It is encouraged in Islam that we save lives and the purpose behind donating blood is literally saving someones life. I dont understand why we don't donate or why we don't advocate for it. A few years ago there was a bomb blast in Lahore. The hospital management appealed for citizens to donate blood and the blood bank was flooded by people who wanted to donate generously. I believe that if imams in mosque spoke about it and encouraged people to donate blood, there would be a lot more muslims ready to do so. Its all about awareness.

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  • Anonymous

    15/06/2020

    I would love to see a campaign led by Islamic scholars/ Imams in masjids, for example who could explain the importance of donating blood to the Muslim community. Masjids could organise/transport groups of people who are willing to step forward but just cant take that final stride to become blood donors.

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  • Anonymous

    15/06/2020

    I've always wanted to donate blood but I have too many vitamin deficiencies for my blood to be beneficial for anyone. XD I find that a lot of South-Asian people are not only afraid to donate blood and have all these negative connotations attached to it, but also afraid to go for blood tests. It could all be a fear of needles due to the unhygenic practices back home when it comes to surgical equipment and catching a disease or could be because they don't fully understand how the blood is being used/tested. Interestingly, rare blood groups are found amongst the South-Asian, Black and Middle Eastern communities who unfortunately, only make up 5% of donors. Opening up the conversation with our families and friends and telling them that; a) you can only give blood if you are fit and healthy. b) everybody is tested before they donate c) if, god forbid, something happens that requires a blood transfusion, they will be given someone's blood to save their life. Donating blood is a choice at the end of the day and people can choose whether or not they want to, but they should atleast have the correct information before they make that decision.

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  • Anonymous

    15/06/2020

    Like with organ donation, I think the defining question for me is whether someone would be willing/accepting of receiving blood. E.g. if you end up in hospital needing blood, are you really going to decline it, or ask questions about who the blood donor was. When I had an emergency caesarean I lost a lot of blood- much more than the doctors had anticipated. I am thankful to those who would've donated blood so that it was available to me and my baby. It is true: DONATE BLOOD --> SAVE LIVES

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  • Shai

    14/06/2020

    I feel having conversations with family members is important even if there is resistance. I have been speaking to my children about it and my son donated last year after he turned 18. i have written a short blog about it here to raise awareness of this issue https://www.mwnwerise.co.uk/contribute/articles/donating-blood-friends

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  • Anonymous

    14/06/2020

    Although I agree that a much bigger conversation and awareness raising push needs to be had in Muslim communities, I think it is important to look at other reasons why there is a lower rate of donations - specifically racism. See the following article: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/09/nhs-blood-unit-systematically-racist-internal-report-finds It makes clear what I have always felt, that there are discriminatory practices within the NHS's blood and organ transplant division. So we need to look internally but also externally as to what is stopping Muslims and ethnic minorities from donating.

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  • MeowZee

    14/06/2020

    I think it is also important to dispel some myths around how blood donation works as well. Some of our parents and grandparents may have heard some horror stories about blood donations, like contracting a disease from the needle due to unhygienic practices and that fear is still with them. So we need to highlight that giving blood donations in UK is actually very safe and straightforward. Are there any demonstration videos from NHS about the blood donation process? If not, maybe we need one and also some videos in different languages.

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  • Anonymous

    14/06/2020

    I have to admit, I didn't realise there was even a debate around blood donations! I know a lot of Muslims that are unsure about organ donation but I haven't come across anyone that isn't happy to donate blood. However, practicalities do come into it especially if you have work, studying and caring responsibilities. I think if we could have more employers and universities getting involved in drives so that it is more convenient for people to donate blood, and also let people have a bit more of a relaxed day if they donate blood so that they don't have to worry about going back to a hectic desk straight after giving blood then that would really help drive up donation numbers. Also have drives in mosques or turn it into some sort of community event once Covid19 crisis is over as then everyone will be encouraging each other.

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  • GrannyBibi

    14/06/2020

    "No bearer of burdens shall bear the burdens of another" Quran 53:38 “If anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole humanity” Quran 5:32 Perhaps discuss the messages of these verses in the context of blood donation and encourage critical thinking. That is, if the Quran already tells us that we will not be responsible for someone else's sins then why are we not taking Allah SWT's word for it when it comes to blood donation, especially when the intention is to save the life of another?

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  • NazminA

    14/06/2020

    I think there needs to be a real push in highlighting just how positively blood donation is seen in Islam - that it is in fact a form of Sadaqah - and dispel the myths. I remember having a conversation with a family friend about blood donation and she was under the impression that you could only donate blood for those you know (i.e. family, friends, close acquaintances) because that was what she was taught and a fatwa had also been issued by a body in India to that effect - but when she realised that there is no segregation when it comes to blood donation, she was more than happy to consider becoming a blood donor. Similarly some people may be under the impression that they become accountable for the sins of the person their blood goes to but again, this can be easily refuted by the Quran itself.

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