Donate Blood

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I donate Blood?

Blood is life and there is no other substitute for human blood as it can neither be manufactured nor replaced by animal blood. Since blood can not be stored for long periods of time and there is a continuous demand for it, thus it should be donated regularly.

How often can I donate blood?

Whole blood donors can give blood once every 90 days. Apheresis platelet donors can donate more frequently - as much as twice in one week and upto 24 times a year (Apheresis platelet donation takes only blood components and not whole blood and hence is allowed more often).

How much blood is collected per donation?

Only 350 ml for whole blood if you weigh 45 kg to 50 kg (or) 450ml of blood if you weigh more then 50 kg. This works to just 8-9 ml per Kg while a male has about 26 ml of reserve blood per kg in the body while a female has about 16 ml of reserve per kg.

How long does it take to give blood?

The donation process includes registration, medical screening, the blood collection, and time for refreshments. For whole blood, the the actual blood collection takes 5 to 7 minutes. For apheresis (platelet) collections, the entire process takes two hours.

Can women also donate as much as men do?

Yes. But for women, the Heaomoglobin count is a significant factor. Often, we see that many women have HB less than 12.0. In such cases, they cannot donate. This is a major reason for lower prevelance of blood donation among women.

Is Donating Blood Painful?

Donating Blood is not painful and is completely safe for the donor. It takes approximately 5 minutes to donate blood and about 10 minutes for post donating rest and refreshment. Only 350 to 450 ml blood is taken which gets replaced in the body within 24 hours.

Blood Donors Must Take Note of Following

• You must be 50 kg or over.
• You must be in good health.
• You cannot donate if you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection.
• If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure.
• If you have visited the dentist for a minor procedure you must wait 24 hours before donating, for major work wait a month.
• You must have eaten some food during the four hours prior to donation