how to donate blood wikihow

1. Determine if you are eligible. Each country's blood service has different requirements in place to be eligible to donate blood.
2. Make an appointment. There are many blood donation centers across many countries. Since these centers need time to prepare for you to give blood, you should make an appointment.
3. Eat iron-rich foods. Since blood production requires iron, you should eat iron-rich foods for two weeks before your appointment.
4. Hydrate yourself. To prepare your body for the loss of blood, you need to drink plenty of water or fruit juice the night and morning before you donate.
Get a good night's rest. Before you donate blood, you should have proper sleep. ...
Eat 1-3 hours before your donation. Never give blood if you have not eaten that day. ...
Collect proper ID cards. The requirements for each blood donation center may differ, but you will always need at least one form of ID for your visit.
Avoid certain activities. In the hours leading up to your appointment, you need to avoid certain activities that may hurt your chances of donating or contaminate your blood.

Full Answer

What to do before donating blood?

You must have type AB blood. You must be in good health and feeling well**. You must be at least 17 years old. You must weigh at least 110 lbs. See additional requirements for student donors >>. Learn more about donating AB Plasma >>. Give AB Plasma. Make an Appointment.

How can I motivate people to donate blood?

Download our Blood Donor App Make Donating Blood and Platelets Easy. The FREE Blood Donor app puts the power to save lives in the palm of your hand. Find nearby Red Cross blood drives, schedule and manage appointments, complete your RapidPass®, get notified when your blood is on its way to a patient, view results from your mini-physical, and more.

Why is 50 kg the minimum weight to donate blood?

Be in good general health and feeling well. Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states). Weigh at least 110 pounds. Additional weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors. Have not donated blood in the last 56 days.

How often can you safely donate blood?

Donors must be 17 years of age or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Blood Donation Minor Consent Form. Donors must be in good health and feeling well on day of donation. Donors must have had no antibiotics or dental work three days prior to donation and no tattoos or body piercings in the past 12 months.

How do I prepare myself to donate blood?

Before your blood donation:Get plenty of sleep the night before you plan to donate.Eat a healthy meal before your donation. ... Drink plenty of water before the donation.Check to see if any medications you are taking or recently took would prevent you from donating. ... Wear a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up.Mar 4, 2021

Why is orange juice good after giving blood?

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, so it is also a good idea to eat foods rich in the vitamin, such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, and tomatoes. A person who donates blood frequently may benefit from an iron supplement.

Why do they give you cookies after giving blood?

After you donate, we give you cookies and juice to enjoy. Your body needs to replenish fluids lost over the next 12 – 24 hours.

Why do you have to be 50kg to donate blood?

To donate blood, the minimum weight is 50 kg. We need you to be above a minimum weight because the amount of blood your body contains is related to your weight and height. If our standard donation represents too high a volume, it's not safe for you to donate.

Can you donate blood on your period?

You can safely donate blood during your period if it is required and your period will not be affected by the donation. It may be better to donate the week after periods, but it is still manageable if you are not bleeding heavily, your haemoglobin is more than 11 g/dl and you are not in any discomfort or pain.Jun 14, 2020

Can I drink coffee before giving blood?

Donors should have a healthy meal and drink fluids within four hours before donating. It is best to avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages before donating.

What should you not do before giving blood?

Five Things NOT To Do Before Giving BloodDon't eat immediately before donating. ... Don't give blood if you feel sick. ... Don't worry about drinking coffee, tea or any other caffeinated beverages before donating. ... Don't smoke or drink alcoholic beverages before donating. ... Don't stay up too late the night before.Dec 7, 2021

What happens if you give blood on an empty stomach?

Avoid Donating Blood Without Eating i.e. On An Empty Stomach: Drawing blood from your body will have an effect on your blood pressure for a short while. Low blood pressure can lead to certain conditions like fainting, dizziness, shivering, etc. These conditions will worsen if you donate blood on an empty stomach.

What are the side effects of giving blood?

The side effects of donating blood include nausea and dizziness and fainting in some cases. You may develop a raised bump or experience continued bleeding and bruising at the needle site too. Some people might experience pain and physical weakness after donating blood.

Can I give blood if I smoke?

Smoking cigarettes in and of itself doesn't disqualify you from donating blood. If you smoke and you want to donate blood, plan to refrain from smoking on the day of your appointment — both before your appointment and for three hours afterward.

Does weight matter donating blood?

Weight: You must weigh at least 110 pounds to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Blood volume is in proportion to body weight. Donors who weigh less than 110 pounds may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood as well as those who weigh more than 110 pounds.

Is giving blood good for you?

One blood donation can save up to three lives, according to DeSimone. People usually donate because it feels good to help others, and altruism and volunteering have been linked to positive health outcomes, including a lower risk for depression and greater longevity.Jan 24, 2022

How to prepare for blood donation?

Hydrate yourself. To prepare your body for the loss of blood, you need to drink plenty of water or fruit juice the night and morning before you donate. The leading cause of faintness and dizziness when you give blood is a drop in blood pressure or blood sugar.

How often can you donate blood?

You can only donate blood every 56 days if you are male, and 84 if you are female (to ensure iron levels are high enough after menstrual cycles). If you have donated blood more recently than that, then you are not eligible again, until that period is over.

How much weight do you need to donate blood?

Certain prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, can make you ineligible to donate blood. You must weigh at least 110 pounds or 50 kg.

How to get iron out of blood?

Having good levels of vitamin C will also help to increase iron absorption. Try to consume citrus fruit, juices, or vitamin C supplements. Hydrate yourself. To prepare your body for the loss of blood, you need to drink plenty of water or fruit juice the night and morning before you donate.

Who is Shari Forschen?

This article was medically reviewed by Shari Forschen, NP, MA. Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota . She received her Family Nurse Practitioner Master's from the University of North Dakota and has been a nurse since 2003. This article has been viewed 1,000,590 times.

What do you need to know before you can donate blood?

Before you can donate blood, you will be asked to fill out a confidential medical history that includes questions about behaviors known to carry a higher risk of bloodborne infections — infections that are transmitted through the blood.

What is blood donation?

Blood donation is a voluntary procedure that can help save the lives of others. There are several types of blood donation. Each type helps meet different medical needs.

How long does it take for blood to be replaced?

Within a few days of a blood donation, your body replaces the lost fluids. And after two weeks, your body replaces the lost red blood cells.

What is platelet donation?

Platelet donation (plateletpheresis) collects only platelets — the cells that help stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs (clotting) in blood vessels. Donated platelets are commonly given to people with clotting problems or cancer and people who will have organ transplants or major surgeries.

How long after a positive test can you donate blood?

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests waiting to donate blood for at least 14 days after a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 without symptoms or for at least 14 days after symptoms of COVID-19 have completely cleared up. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies but didn't have a diagnostic test and never developed symptoms can donate without a waiting period or having a diagnostic test done before donation.

What is double red blood donation?

Double red cell donation allows you to donate a concentrated amount of red blood cells. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to your organs and tissues. Donated red blood cells are typically given to people with severe blood loss, such as after an injury or accident, and people with sickle cell anemia.

What is the process of donating blood?

During apheresis, you are hooked up to a machine that can collect and separate blood components, such as red cells, plasma and platelets. This process allows more of a single component to be collected.

Why Give Blood

You don't need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason.

What to Expect at Your Donation

Registration — You will sign in, show an ID, and be asked to read some required information.

How to Get Ready

Donors must have proof of age to ensure they meet the minimum age requirements and present a primary form of ID or two secondary forms of ID.

How long does it take to give blood?

Giving blood only takes about an hour of your time. You will be asked to fill out a confidential health questionnaire about your medical history and be given a “mini” physical to check your blood iron level, blood pressure, temperature and pulse.

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

Donors must be 17 years of age or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Blood Donation Minor Consent Form. PDF. Donors must be in good health and feeling well on day of donation. Donors must have had no antibiotics or dental work three days prior to donation and no tattoos or body piercings in the past 12 months.

How long does it take to donate to a charity?

The actual donation process only takes about 15 minutes as you sit back in a comfortable chair and watch your favorite television show. After your donation, you’re invited to relax and have a light snack or juice. Afterwards, you can go back to your normal schedule.

What is directed donation?

Directed donors must inform the donor center staff they are directly donating for a specific patient and provide the patient’s (recipient) name. The recipient’s physician must provide a written order to collect directed donations prior to accepting donors for directed donations. The donor’s blood type will not be determined before donation.

How to raise blood sugar fast?

1. Eat or drink 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates include sugars that are easily broken down by your body, as opposed to starches or fibers. You only need 15-20 grams to quickly raise your blood sugar.

How long to wait to check blood sugar?

Wait 15 minutes, then check your sugar. Use your normal method of checking your sugar to see if your levels have returned to normal. Your blood sugar should be above 100 mg/dl. If it isn't, repeat the process.

What is low blood sugar?

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, is a serious condition that can occur in diabetics or in people who have reactive hypoglycemia. Normal sugar levels are 70-99 mg/dl, so your blood sugar is considered low when it measures less than 70 mg/dl. Symptoms include heart palpitations, depression, restlessness, fatigue, pale skin, shakiness, ...

Who is Lyssandra Guerra?

Lyssandra Guerra is a Certified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant and the Founder of Native Palms Nutrition based in Oakland, California. She has over five years of nutrition coaching experience and specializes in providing support to overcome digestive issues, food sensitivities, sugar cravings, and other related dilemmas.

Can hypoglycemia cause death?

Hypoglycemia can be a serious condition for insulin-dependent diabetics but is rarely life-threatening for those who have reactive hypoglycemia. Left untreated, hypoglycemia can result in seizures, coma, or death. Fortunately, it's really easy to treat low blood sugar.

Is low blood sugar a sign of diabetes?

If you are experiencing low blood sugar often, talk to your doctor to see if you need any adjustments to your diet or medications. Since low blood sugar is a normal occurrence in diabetics, it needs to be regularly monitored, especially in juvenile diabetics. [8]

How long does it take for blood sugar to stabilize?

Most people will have stabilized after one or two sugar cycles; however, continue the process until your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dl (4.0 mmol/l). Be careful to not overeat, as this could cause your blood sugar to rapidly spike.

How to make fake blood?

One of the most simple ways you can make fake blood is to combine tomato paste and water. Use about 4 parts tomato paste to one part water, and stir to combine the ingredients for an edible fake blood. Add in 1 part maple syrup if you want a thicker, sludgier consistency .

What is the color of fake blood?

Although most commercial fake blood is made with red food coloring, there are several ways to use other ingredients to give your fake blood its realistic red hue. While some of the ingredients to replace food coloring are quite obscure, others you probably have in your fridge or pantry.

How to make fake blood with corn syrup?

1. Combine beet or pomegranate juice with corn syrup and detergent. You can use pure beet or pomegranate juice in the place of food red coloring to create fake blood. Combine 16 parts white corn syrup with 1 part each of powder washing detergent, water, and either beet or pomegranate juice. Stir to mix the ingredients.

How to make red and blue paint?

Combine red and blue paint with water. In a medium sized bowl, add 2 parts red washable tempera paint to one part water. Then pour in a dash of blue, about one teaspoon (4.93 ml) per cup (236.59 ml) of red paint you are using. Stir with a paintbrush or a spoon until the colors and water are mixed.

How to make fake blood with raspberries?

1. Liquefy raspberries in a blender. You can also easily make homemade red dye from raspberries, which you can combine with thickeners to make fake blood. To begin, place 1 cup (236.59 ml) of fresh or frozen raspberries in a blender, then blend until liquefied.

Is fake blood edible?

Fake blood recipes that use paint or have ingredients like washing detergent in them are not edible, which is important to consider if you are creating fake blood for a Halloween dessert.

How often does the US need blood?

Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, according to the American Red Cross — but there's not always enough supply to meet that demand. Be a part of fixing that!

What to expect during a donation?

Here's what to expect during the donation itself: While you're lying down or seated comfortably, a staff member will examine your arms to find a suitable vein, clean the area and then insert a new, sterile needle.

How to get rid of dizziness in legs?

Try this technique from the American Red Cross to reduce dizziness: Lift one leg slightly, hold for a few seconds, and then lower it back down. Switch sides. Repeat several times on each leg.

How long does it take to remove elastic wrap from a bandage?

About an hour after leaving the collection center, Dr. Miller suggests removing the elastic wrap from your bandage and gently cleaning the area around the bandage so it doesn't get irritated. You can take off the bandage itself after a few more hours.

Who is Rita Reik?

Rita Reik, MD, FCAP, is chief medical officer of America’s Blood Centers and of OneBlood, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Reik is responsible for leading and implementing the association’s scientific and medical strategies as a national leader representing the interests of ABC members to internal and external stakeholders.

Overview

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Why It's Done

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What You Can Expect

Results

• Blood donation is a voluntary procedure that can help save the lives of others. There are several types of blood donation. Each type helps meet different medical needs.

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