Frequently Asked Questions About Donating Blood

1. I heard that 16-year-olds can now donate blood. Is that true?

Yes. Individuals who are 16 years old and 55.3kg (with parental consent), or at least
17 years old and 49.9kg, and are in general good health can donate blood. But our
school do not take risk to receive 16 years old people blood.
2. Why should I give blood?
Medical technology has provided many life-saving discoveries over the years, but
there is still no substitute for blood. In a medical emergency, often the most important
element is the availability of blood. Blood donation can help a variety of individuals.
3. Are there any special instructions I should follow before donating blood?
You should eat a good meal that includes iron-rich foods like red meat; green, leafy
vegetables; and iron-fortified cereals and drink plenty of fluids one to two hours
before donating blood.
4. How much blood is taken?
A unit (about one pint) of blood is drawn. The average person has between 8 and 12
pints of blood in their body. It takes about one month to replace the blood that is
donated.
5. Can you explain the blood donation process?
Donating blood takes less than one hour from the time you arrive until you are ready
to leave. First you complete a registration form with basic information such as your
name, address and birthdate. Then, one of our medical professionals will check your
blood pressure, temperature and haemoglobin level (iron); take a look at your arm to
make sure it is clear of any signs of infection; and ask you confidential questions
about your health to ensure that you are eligible to donate blood that day. The actual
whole blood donation takes between five to 10 minutes. Afterwards, you will be given
juice and light snacks to replenish lost fluids during donation.
6. How long does it take?
The entire donation process, from registration to post-donation refreshments, takes
just under one hour. The actual donation takes 5 to 10 minutes.
7. How will I feel after I donate?
Most people feel fine after donating. Your body makes new blood constantly, and the
fluid you give will be replaced with hours. You should avoid alcohol and smoke before
and after donating. Strenuous activity should be avoided for 12 hours after donating.
8. What happens to my blood after I donate?
Your blood will be tested for various infections agents. It will then be processed into
components (red cells, platelets, plasma). After processing, red cells can be stored for
42 days, platelets can be stored for five days and plasma can be frozen for one year.

9. Will donating blood put me at risk of disease?

Donating blood does not put you at risk of disease. All needles are sterile, used only
once and discarded. The usual blood collection - a "unit" - is about half a litre, or one
pint. Your body soon replaces all the blood you donate.

10. Mad cow disease - my parents lived in the UK for six months during the period
1980-1996. Can I donate?
As long as you yourself did not live in the UK for six months or more during that
period, then yes you can donate.
A person whose parents have lived in the UK is able to donate blood. The 'mad cow'
deferral policy on UK residency applies only to residence after birth - it does not
matter if your parents are excluded or if your mother was pregnant with you whilst
living in the UK.

Eligible
1. Age between 17 to 60
2. Breakfast or lunch before donation (within 4 hours)
3. Weigh more than 45kg
4. Be healthy
Sleep more than 5 hours
No consume antibiotics
Had no seizures, diabetes and high blood pressure
5. Have no fever, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms.
6. Have no active cold symptoms.
7. Have not had major surgery recently (released from doctors care).
8. Not pregnant
9. Not a drug abuser
10. Not a homosexual
11. Not going through menstruation for the past 3 days
12. 3 months or more after last blood donation

Not Eligible
1. Engaged in casual sex
2. Undergone surgery in the past 6 months
3. Taking drugs through shared needles
4. A positive HIV test
5. HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis, Infection
6. Organ Failure: Kidney, lung or liver failure.
7. Getting tattooed in the last year (unless done under sterile conditions
and at a state licensed facility)

8. Living in or visiting certain countries during designated periods of time

9. Body Piercing: if you have had a tongue, nose, belly button or
genital piercing in the past 12 months (donors with pierced ears are
eligible).
10. Consumed alcohol 48 hours before donation

For Yourself
Donating blood improves your overall cardiovascular health.
Increased level of iron in the blood raises the chance of heart disease.
Regularly donating blood helps males in particular to reduce the amount
of iron in blood.
This can reduce the chance of heart attack by 88%.
Regular blood donating can lower the risk of severe cardiovascular events
such as stroke by 33%.

For Others
You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone
close to you may need it. Most people dont think they will ever need
blood, but they do.
Its something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous.
Blood is something money cant buy. Only something one person can give
to another.
You may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother, or a
sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives
with just one donation.

In conclusion
Its the right thing to do.

What is your excuse?

1. I am too busy
Everybody is but then if thousands of people can spare half an hour
of their time to help another you too can surely spare the time.

2. You wont want my blood because of the illness that I had

You may be right but have you checked that this is really the case.

3. Other people must be giving, so why me?

True, now more and more donors are needed every year. So every
donor counts.

4. I am scared to give blood

Who isnt the first time but dont you ever want to overcome this
fear?

5. I am too weak
If you are healthy enough to be walking around now you cant be too
weak to donate. In any case the amount taken is replaced in a few
hours and so there is no reason for anybody to feel weak.

6. Since no one in my family has ever used blood why should I

give?
Consider yourself lucky but now are you sure that no one in your
family will ever need blood? The need for blood can arise in any
family at anytime. If you help someone now others will rally around
to help you when necessary.

7. I have already given blood once before

Very good, but many people donate as many as four times a year. If
everybody gives twice a year we can meet our requirements.