Rakthadaan

This is what you can expect when you are ready to donate blood :

You walk into a Blood Bank or a mobile blood donation camp organized by a Blood Bank.

A few questions will be asked to determine your health status (general questions on health, blood donation history, medications etc). Usually you will be asked to fill out a short donor registration form.

Then a quick physical examination will be done by a doctor to check temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin content in blood to ensure you are a healthy donor.

If found fit to donate, then you will be asked to lie down on a donor couch or a bed. Your arm will be thoroughly cleaned. Then using sterile equipments blood will be collected in a special plastic bag. Approximately 350 ml of blood will be collected in one donation. Those who weigh more than 60 Kg can donate 450 ml of blood.

Then you must rest and relax for a few minutes. light snack or a refreshing drink are served.

The blood will then be taken to the laboratory for testing.

Once found safe, it will be kept in special storage and released when required.

Blood will be separated into components within eight hours of donation.

The blood is now ready to be taken to the hospital, to save lives..

DO NOT donate blood, if you have any of the following conditions

Cold / fever in the past 1 week.

Under treatment with antibiotics or any other medication.

Cardiac problems, hypertension, epilepsy, diabetes, history of cancer, chronic kidney or liver disease, bleeding tendencies, venereal disease etc.

Major surgery in the last 6 months.

Vaccination in the last 24 hours.

Had a miscarriage in the last 6 months or have been pregnant / lactating in the last one year.

Had fainting attacks during last donation.

Have regularly received treatment with blood products.

Shared a needle to inject drugs/ have history of drug addiction.

DO donate blood, only if you satisfy all of the following conditions

You are between age group of 18-60 years.

Your weight is 45 kgs or more.

Your hemoglobin is 12.5 gm% minimum.

Your last blood donation was 3 or more months earlier.

You are healthy and have not suffered from malaria, typhoid or other transmissible disease in the recent past.

About Blood Donation

Donating blood is a life saving measure especially when you have a rare blood type. Blood donation is safe and simple. It takes only about 10 minutes to donate blood - less than the time of an average telephone call. We can save up to 3 to 4 precious lives by donating blood.

A Healthy Donor

A healthy diet helps ensure a successful blood donation, and also makes you feel better! Check out the following recommended foods to eat prior to your donation.
Low fat foods
Iron rich foods