BLOOD DONATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of blood in our bodies?

Blood carries essential nourishment to all tissues and organs of the body. White blood
cells protect the body by fighting infective pathogens while red blood cells carry oxygen
to tissues and cells or carbon dioxide from them.

What is the use of blood collected?

The blood that is collected by the National Blood Transfusion Services is used mainly for
transfusion Most of the blood is used in transfusion either as whole blood or as a
component of whole blood i.e. white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets or plasma
depending on the recipients need. The blood may also be used to manufacture
medications using a process called fractionation.

Who cannot give blood and why?

1. You should not give blood if your own health might suffer as a result.
2. The first concern of the blood services is to ensure that blood donation does no
harm to the blood donor.
3. You should not donate blood if : i) You are feeling unwell.
ii) You are anemic.
iii) You are pregnant or have been pregnant within the last year.
iv) If you are feeling unwell or have a cold or flu on the day of the session.
v) If you have taken antibiotics during the week before you attend the session.
vi) If youve had a body piercing or injected yourself with a non-prescribed drug
within the last year.
vii) If youve had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the last one year.
viii) If youre taking regular medication or awaiting the results of medical tests, we
also advise you not to donate. This is to ensure we take the very best care of you
and that our blood supply is safe for the patients who need it.

What happens to me when I give blood?

Donating is entirely safe and confidential. Adults have between 5 to 6 litres of blood in
their body and after donating, the body replaces lost fluid within a matter of hours and
cellular content within 2-3 weeks. In fact, when giving blood, the only thing youll feel is
good about yourself.

Does it hurt?
Just squeeze the inside of your elbow tightly elbows and you will get a quick idea of
what the feels like. All you should feel is a gentle pressure, but no pain. Blood donation
is very safe and discomfort or problems during or after donating is very uncommon.

Can I get transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) by donating blood?

It is not possible to get TTIs by donating blood because the equipment used is sterile and
is not reused.

Why shouldnt I be paid for donating blood?

Blood donation is a voluntary exercise. It is encouraged that all donors should be

voluntary non-remunerated blood donors since they are the safest. Blood donation should
not be done for financial or material gain but rather, encouraged as a humanitarian act to
save the lives of those in need of it.

Why do we pay for blood yet it is given for free?

The National Blood Transfusion Services doesnt charge any fee for blood given to any
person. The only a fee charged is 300 shillings which is the price of the blood bag. This
charge is only applicable to private hospitals. Public and Missionary hospitals get the
blood totally free of charge.

What tests are made on blood and why the need to test?

It is important to test blood prior to transfusion to ensure safety of the recipient. The
blood is tested for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

What happens to blood that is not safe for transfusion?

All infected blood is destroyed by incineration (burning to ashes).

What are the benefits of giving blood?

To save the lives of those in need. Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can
give to another person the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save the
life of one or even several people.
A donor effectively burns about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood
In patients prone to iron overload, blood donation prevents the accumulation of toxic
quantities.
Donating blood may reduce the risk of heart disease for men.

Who can donate blood?

Every healthy individual with no known infection /disease can donate blood. It should
still be done after having screened yourself. The donor should be in good health and
should be feeling well on the day they donate. He/she should weigh at least 110 lbs. (50
kg) or more, not on any prescribed medication that may affect the donor or recipient.
There should be a gap of at least 56 days between donations.

How often can I donate blood?

Donating blood over thrice a year is not recommended. Excessive donation results in
blood becoming substandard, for instance lacking in iron. It can also affect the donor's
health.

Why should I donate blood?

The safest type of blood donor is the voluntary, unpaid donor. Such donor gives out of
altruism, and is not under pressure to donate blood. On the whole, such donors are more
likely to meet the criteria for low risk donors. And they are also more likely to be willing
to donate on a regular basis and at properly spaced intervals. This is important in
maintaining a sufficient stock of blood.

Is blood donation harmful?

No, if it is at properly spaced intervals and is donated at licensed blood banks/camps it is

not harmful. Many donors have given blood over 50 times, up to four times a year,
without any harm to their health. If you are healthy, you can give blood every 56 days.

info@bloodlinkfoundation.org