Blood Donation

Blood donation is a great humanitarian act.

Giving your blood can provide the gift of better health or even life itself to a fellow human being.

Human blood has countless vital and essential functions. There is no substitute for it. It cannot be made in a laboratory.

Everyday thousands of critically ill people are in great need of blood

You can make the difference between life and death by giving blood.

Why donate blood?

Every blood donation you make has the potential to save lives.

Blood has no substitute.

Blood cannot be manufactured

There is a constant need for blood.

Blood is precious.

Blood from paid blood sellers is unhealthy and risky.

You can donate blood if:

You are between 18 to 60 years old.

You weigh 45KG or more

You have enough hemoglobin in your blood

It has been at least three months since you last donated blood

You are healthy and have not had hepatitis, malaria, typhoid or other diseases spread through blood

You may have two postpone blood donation for some time if

You have had a cold and/or fever of unknown cause during the last seven days

You have been vaccinated within the last 24 hours

You have drunk a large amount of alcohol during the last 24 hours

You have had a miscarriage in the last six months or have been pregnant or breastfeeding in the past 12 months

You cannot donate blood if:

You have severe heart disease

You are suffering from tuberculosis

You have an over active thyroid (thyrotoxicosis)

You have a history of cancer, kidney, bleeding tendency, anemia or sexually transmitted diseases

I have AIDS or are infected with HIV virus

You are using a drug known to be addicting

You have a history alcoholism and drug addiction

You have had fainting attacks during your last two blood donations

What happens when you give blood?

Donating blood is quick, simple and almost painless.

There will be:

Questions about your medical history to ensure that your blood will be safe for people receiving it.

A short physical examination

This includes taking your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and a test for anemia

Blood taking. This is almost painless and takes about eight minutes

After your donation

After drinking light refreshments and resting for about 30 minutes you can usually go back to normal activities. Very tiring activities should be avoided for 12 to 14 hours

Fears about giving blood:

“I hate needles”

A local anesthetic is applied to your skin to make sure that giving blood is not painful. You do not have to watch the procedure.

“It’s too inconvenient and I’m too busy”

Giving blood can mean life itself for a patient and even the busiest people find time to donate.

“I’m worried that giving blood causes physical weakness or infertility”

Many donors have given blood over 50 times, up to 4 times a year, without any harm to their health.

“I’m scared of being infected with HIV while giving blood”

There is no risk of infection because the new needle and syringe are used for each person

What happens to the blood donated?

The blood you donate goes through many tests for the safety of those patients receiving it. These include test for AIDS, hepatitis, syphilis and malaria

Your blood may be used as “whole blood” or separated into its parts called “blood components”

How your blood is used

Donated blood is used in the treatment of:

Wounds caused in accidents

Major surgery

Major surgery

Complications at childbirth

Blood diseases

Severe burns

Frequently asked questions

1) “How much blood will I lose? “ 
Not enough for you to miss! Each full donation is 350 ml. Your body naturally replaces the lost fluid in a very short time.

2) “How will giving blood affect my health?” 
Your donation will only be accepted if you are fit and well. Only about 5% of your blood volume is taken and there is usually no weakness or other ill effect. The volume of liquid lost is replaced within 24 hours and the blood cells will take a few weeks to replace themselves.

3) “What if I need blood?” 
If you need blood urgently, the hospital will provide it. Most hospitals like to replace blood given to patients by donations from the relatives or friends of the patient.

4) “What if I need to take medication?” 
Some medications, or the medical conditions they are prescribed for, may mean that you cannot donate. Others may be perfectly alright.

5) Warning! 
Never stop taking your medication just to donate blood.

6) “What can I do before and after giving blood” 
You should always drink lots of liquids before and after you donate – but not alcohol. Eat regular meals and let your blood centre know if you have missed your normal meal or if you are on a diet

7) “Can I smoke after giving blood?” 
is best that you do not smoke for two hours after donating, as it can cause dizziness or even make you faint.

8) “Can I bring a friend?” 
Yes. Your friend may be interested when he or she sees how painless and simple it is to give blood.

9) “Can I go back to work on the same day?” 
Yes, as long as you have the full rest and some refreshments before you leave the blood donation session. On rare occasions, people can faint sometime after donating blood. So if you are in an occupation where this can endanger yourself or others you should not go to duty after giving blood that day. If you drive a lorry or a train, for instance, all work for the emergency services, or your work involves height, you should not go to work on the day you donate blood you should come give blood at the end of your shift.