Blood Donation

• You have the power to save lives.
• Giving blood does not cause weakness.
• A Blood Bank is only a link between the donor and the patient …, the more it gets the more it can give.
• If only 1% of the people donate blood there would be enough for all.
• Blood cannot be stored for too long. Therefore there is a need for blood donation all the time.
• Testing and preparing blood for issue takes time.
• Don’t wait for a call – walk in and do your bit and save upto 4 lives.
• Donating blood is safe and simple and takes about 5 time of an average telephone call!.

After Blood Donation

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• No extra diet is required to replenish the blood lost during donation.
• The blood donor should take rest for 10-15 minutes after blood donation. The rest period allows the body to adjust to the loss of blood in the system and for the blood transfusion service to insure the bleeding has stopped before the donor leaves the donation area.
• Do not pull heavy object by the donating hand for 24 hours.
• Do not smoke for 1 hour. Cigarette smoking may cause you light headed.
• Do not drink alcohol till next meal after donation. This time allows the body to adjust to the lower level of red cells – the oxygen carries in the blood system.
• You can drive vehicle after half an hour of blood donation.
• You should not do strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
• If you are a civilian pilot, you should not fly aircraft for 3 days.
• If you are a military pilot, you should not fly aircraft for 5 days.
• If rebleeding does occur, the donor should press down firmly on the area for about 5 minutes and raise the hand above the level of heart and apply a clean dressing when the bleeding stops.
• In case of any other discomfort or problem please contact the blood bank.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Qs)

• Why should I donate blood?
  1. Because some patients need it.
  2. Because you wont loose anything.
  3. Because you are the only source of this precious fluid.
  4. Because you are healthy.
  5. Because you care for others.
  6. Because there is acute shortage of blood.
• Who can give blood?
  Any one who is in good health, age between 18 and up to there 60 birthdays can donate blood. Donors should weigh a minimum of 45 kg and must not be in risk category of AIDS, and other diseases transmissible by blood. Blood donors should have Hb% minimum 12.5m%.
  
• How much blood is taken?
  Depending on body weight 350 MLs to 450 MLs of blood is taken from a blood donor at a time. The blood flows by gravity into a collection bag, which may be on rocking device to ensure the blood is mixed with an anticoagulant to prevent the blood clotting.
• What are the collection bags like?
  Bags are made of a special plastic and three main types of bags are used.Generally used is a triple pack, which consist of three separate bags. After collection the blood is processed into three different components, and can be transfused into three patients. This way three patient can be benefitted from one unit of blood.
• How long does blood donation take?
  The donation only takes about 5-7 minutes but you need to allow approximately one hour every three months (or approximately every 2200 hours!) to give someone else another chance of life.
  
• Why do some donors bleed faster or slower?
  The donor has a larger vein. The donor may have been exercising ex. Walking prior to donating. Nevous tension may sometimes cause a donor to bleed slower.
  
• How long does to take the body to replace the blood?
  It takes the body 24-48 hours to replace the plasma portion, which is about 80% water and 3-4 weeks to replace the red cells. Donors are encouraged to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids before and after donation.
  
• How often can blood be given?
  One person can donate blood after every 12 weeks.
  
• Should you eat before giving blood?
  Yes eat a substantial meal not less than 1 hour and not more than four hours before donating. Also drink plenty of caffeine-free water-based fluids before and after donating.
  
• Why should a donor rest after giving blood?
  The rest period allows the body to adjust to the loss of blood in the system and for the blood transfusion service to ensure the bleeding has stopped before the donor leaves the donation area.
  
• Why are so many questions asked about recent medical history etc.
  The blood bank cares about 2 groups of people – recipients of blood and the donors. The questions are asked to insure donors will not suffer any ill effects from giving blood and to ensure the safety of the blood for recipients. (If donors place themselves in recipient’s shoes, it would be obvious why do blood bank to be ever vigiliant).
  
• Can donors get AIDS from giving Blood?
  DEFINITELY NOT! The needles are new, sterile and used only once. There is no possibility of donors getting AIDS or other virus by giving blood.
  
• What tests are done on the blood after is had been donated?
  Every Donation is checked in the Virus Serology Laboratory for Hepatitis, Core anti-body, Syphilis and AIDS virus anti-body and Malaria.
  
• What are blood group?
  Blood groups are inherited from both parents just like height, eye color etc. The group is divided into 2 parts, the ABO part (with A, B, O or AB) and the Rhesus part. The Rhesus part gives us the ‘positive’ or ‘negetive’.
  
• What is the rarest blood group?
  All blood is rare if a patient needs some and the Blood Bank does not have enough in stock!.
  
• Is one group needed more than another?
  Every group is needed. If a donor has a common group it means there will be more patients needing that group. Of course, if a patient has a rare group then it is harder to find someone to match.