what is required to donate blood

What should we know before we donate blood?

Anyone who is age 17 or older may be eligible to donate blood. Individuals who are 16 years old may be eligible to donate with parental consent. You must bring a valid picture ID prior to donation. Donors age 19 and up must weigh at least 110 pounds. *16-year-old donors must have parental consent.

What conditions disqualify you from donating blood?

The 4 Steps of Blood Donation 1. Registration. When you arrive at the blood bank or blood drive, you’ll sign in for your appointment and show your ID. 2. Medical history and mini-physical. Before you donate, an employee from the blood bank will ask …

Why is 50 kg the minimum weight to donate blood?

May 05, 2020 · You can give: Whole blood. Every 56 days. Double red cells. This takes twice as many red blood cells as regular donation. You must be type O, A negative, or B... Plasma. It regenerates every couple of days. You can give plasma every 28 days, up to 13 times a year. Platelets. Every 7 days, up to 24 ...

What guidelines do I need to know before donating blood?

The amount of iron that your body needs will depend on several factors including age, gender, body type, genetics – and, how often you donate blood. The Red Cross recommends that all donors eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet that contains foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C. Donors should also avoid foods that may block the absorption of iron in your body.

Who Cannot donate blood?

HIV infection, AIDS or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) High risk occupation (e.g. prostitution) Unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kg over 6 months. Chronic alcoholism.

What are the criteria for blood donation?

Who are eligible to donate blood?Age. Donor should be in the age group of 18 to 65 years. ... Weight. The Donor Should not be less than 45 Kilograms. ... Pulse. Temperature and Pulse of the donor shall be normal. ... Child Birth. ... Blood Pressure. ... Haemoglobin. ... Immunization & Vaccination. ... Malaria.More items...

What is the rarest blood type?

type ABIn the U.S., the blood type AB, Rh negative is considered the rarest, while O positive is most common.May 18, 2020

What is the minimum weight for blood donation?

Who can give blood? Anyone between 18 and 65 years of age and in normal health having a body weight of 45 kg or more and a haemoglobin content no less than 12.5 gms/hundred ml can be a donor.

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

Anyone who is age 17 or older may be eligible to donate blood. Individuals who are 16 years old may be eligible to donate with parental consent. You must bring a valid picture ID prior to donation. Donors age 19 and up must weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors age 16 to 18 must weigh 122 pounds. *16-year-old donors must have parental consent.

How long can you donate blood after getting a tattoo?

For example, when you get a tattoo, you’ll be deferred for a week. That means you can donate blood one week after it was done . Or you may receive an indefinite deferral, whe re you aren't able to donate blood unless federal regulations change in the future.

What is the phone number for a donor?

If the country you have visited is not listed, you may call (713) 791-6612 or (713) 791-6608 or email Medical Services. U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials announced changes in April 2020 that affect donor eligibility.

What is plasma used for?

Some of this is used for transfusion, but because the other components of whole blood (red blood cells and platelets) are used more frequently than plasma, plasma that would otherwise expire is used to make life-saving medications.

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

In order to donate blood, you must: Be at least 17 years old. In some states, you can give blood at 16 years-of-age with parental consent.

What are the restrictions on blood donation?

The following are just the most common restrictions for giving blood that need to be enacted. 1. You have the cold, flu, or other acute illnesses that cause fever.

Why is it important to know about the restrictions on donating blood?

Donating blood is an exceptional way to give back to your community, which is why it’s important to know about basic giving blood restrictions. The list of eligibility restrictions and rules for donating blood is extensive, and rightfully so; it’s important to keep those who receive donated blood safe. However, many of these requirements are very ...

What is the hemoglobin level of a woman?

In their eligibility requirements list (linked above) The American Red Cross states that: “In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL.

How long do you have to wait to donate platelets?

If you wish to donate only platelets, you will need to wait the space of two full days between the last time you took a pill and the day you donate blood. Blood thinners: Since blood thinners affect the ability of your blood to clot, individuals taking certain types of blood thinners will not be allowed to donate.

Can you donate blood with CJD?

Individuals with CJD are not allowed to donate blood. Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease, is a variant of CJD that can be passed on to humans when they eat food products from cows sick with Bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Why do people donate blood?

There are also potential benefits for people who regularly donate blood: Lower iron levels in blood. This is a plus if your iron levels are too high. Donating blood removes some red blood cells, which carry iron throughout your body. Better cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

How long does it take to donate blood?

Donation. Refreshments. While the whole process, from the time you get to the facility to the time you leave, can take about an hour, the actual donation itself may take as little as 8-10 minutes.

How long after blood donation can you drink?

There aren’t any lasting side effects, but you may temporarily: Need to hydrate. Drink more non-alcoholic beverages for 24-48 hours after you donate blood.

Can you donate blood to a tattoo?

Tattoos, in most states, aren’t a barrier to giving blood, provided that the tattoo artist followed good safety practices (like using sterile needles and not reusing ink). A few states may require a waiting period between when you get a tattoo and when you donate blood, but in general, it’s not an issue. 3. Donation.

How much iron is needed for blood donation?

There are things you can do to help maintain healthy iron levels: Frequent donors and young donors should consult with their health-care provider about taking multivitamins with 18 mg of iron.

Why do people donate blood?

Donating blood removes iron from your body which is needed to help maintain strength and energy. The American Red Cross encourages all blood and platelet donors to learn how to maintain healthy iron levels and how blood donation impacts the level of iron in your body.

How to maintain iron levels?

There are things you can do to help maintain healthy iron levels: 1 Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet with foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C 2 Frequent donors and young donors should consult with their health-care provider about taking multivitamins with 18 mg of iron

What is the function of hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to nourish all of the tissues in your body. What is iron? Iron is a part of hemoglobin and an essential mineral found in foods we eat. Iron helps your body make new red blood cells, ...

What is the normal hemoglobin level for men?

What is a normal hemoglobin level? Normal hemoglobin ranges are different for males and females. The normal range for men is 13.5 to 17.5g/dL. For women, the normal range is 12.0 to 15.5g/dL. African American men and women will have a normal range that varies by 0.7g/dL at the low end of the range.

What is the best diet for a donor?

The Red Cross recommends that all donors eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet that contains foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C. Donors should also avoid foods that may block the absorption of iron in your body. Some donors, such as young and frequent donors, may help increase or maintain their iron levels by taking an iron supplement ...

What foods help the body absorb iron?

Foods such as tomatoes, oranges and other citrus fruits, and bell peppers have high levels of vitamin C. In addition to having high levels of heme iron, red meats can also help the body absorb non-heme iron.

Why is blood donation important?

It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.

How much blood does the Red Cross provide?

The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. But supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor helps us meet patient needs.

How many people have sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives. The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood.

Can blood be manufactured?

Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors. The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O. One donation can potentially save up to three lives. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.8 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2020.

What percentage of blood is donated to the Red Cross?

The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood cell components to donors. Your blood donations are used for patients in need of surgery, cancer treatment and transfusions for blood loss from traumatic injuries.

How many units of plasma can you donate?

One donation provides up to four units of plasma for patients in need. As you can see, blood donations are one of the most important things you can do to help others in need. There is no substitute for blood, and it can’t be manufactured. Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages from all backgrounds.

Why is blood important?

Blood is essential to help patients survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. This lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. The need for blood is constant. But only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly.

Why do people need platelets?

Platelets help your body create clots to stop bleeding. Platelet donations are critical for patients who are fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. The collection process is unique and a bit different than the whole blood donations, both arms are involved.

What is plasma donation?

Plasma Donation: During a plasma donation, called plasmapheresis, blood is drawn from one arm and sent to the centrifuge that separates out the plasma. The red blood cells and platelets are then returned to you in the same arm.

What is the CMV virus?

CMV is known as the cytomegalovirus. CMV is a flu-like virus to which an estimated 85% of adults in the United States will be exposed by the age of 40. This means that the majority of adults in the United States carry CMV antibodies. Unfortunately, these antibodies might pose a danger to particularly vulnerable patients.