Blood is the part of life that is given to those who need it by those who have the resource to satisfy the need. The love of fellow human and a desire to share something of oneself is what singles out a blood donor from the others. Emergencies occur every minute. For each patient requiring blood, it is an emergency and the patients could have set back if blood is not available.
Your blood donation may be even more special than you realize A single donation from you can help one or more patients. This is possible because whole blood is made up of several useful components. These components perform special functions in your body and in the body of patients who receive your blood.:

Various blood components are Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, Platelets, Plasma and selected Plasma Proteins. Each of these components can be separated from your donated volume of blood and transfused into a specific patient requiring that particular component. Thus, many can benefit from one unit of blood. Every year India requires 40 million units of 250cc blood out of which only a meager 500,000 of blood units are available.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON BLOOD DONATION:

• Eat something substantial before your appointment. This might be cereal and toast for breakfast, or a sandwich at lunchtime. Please don't come in on an empty stomach.
• Also have 3-4 glasses of water, fruit juice or a milk drink to ensure your body has plenty of fluid as this helps your blood flow.
• If you've got a cold or flu, had a tummy upset in the past week, or you’ve been to the dentist recently you may not be able to donate. Call us on 8008 to find out and we can reschedule your appointment if necessary.

Bring your identification - You will be asked to present identification to confirm your identity. This must include 3 separate identifiers, for example:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Signature
• Photo (if possible)

Complete donor questionnaire - on arrival you will be asked to complete the Donor Questionnaire. This form asks about your general health and is completely confidential. It is designed to protect both you and the person who receives your blood.
Interview - Before donating you will have an interview with a trained staff member to discuss your recent health and check your:

• General health
• Haemoglobin levels (you will be given a quick 'finger prick' to ensure your haemoglobin level is within a healthy range)
• Blood pressure

Donating blood – Giving blood takes just 5-10 minutes but you should allow about an hour from arrival to departure, which includes time for your interview and refreshments. You'll feel a small pinch as the needle goes in, but it feels no worse than a pinch on the inside of your elbow. If you're nervous about donating blood, let our staff know.
Safety - All equipment is sterile; needles are used only once and then discarded. In the great majority of individuals, a donation of 470mL is less than 10% of your total body volume and may be given safely every 12 weeks. Your body keeps on discarding and replenishing blood all the time whether you give blood or not, so this amount is quickly replenished.
A sample donor questionnaire form is available below. This is provided for information only and should not be taken as a definitive guide to eligibility, which often requires medical interpretation.

Relax & refresh - You can have something to eat and drink in our refreshment area where we ask you to spend about 15-20 minutes before departing. Within 24-48 hours your blood volume is completely restored.
Apart from enjoying our refreshments, other things to help you recover quickly include:

• Drink plenty of water, fruit juice etc and avoid alcohol for 8 hours after you've given blood.
• Avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting with the 'donating arm' for 24 hours after you've given blood.
• If you become unwell in any way after giving blood, call us on 8008 straight away.

Before you leave the donor centre book in your next appointment

• Whole blood donors can give blood again in 12 weeks.
• Aphaeresis plasma or platelet donors can give blood in around 2-3 weeks time.

Tips on blood donating

Please have a good meal at least 3 hours before donating blood. Please accept the snacks offered after the donation. It is recommended to have a good meal later. Please avoid smoking on the day before donating. One can smoke 3 hours after donation. One is not eligible to donate blood if you have consumed alcohol 48 hours before donation.

Misconception about Donating Blood

will not feel drained or tired if you continue to drink fluids and have a good meal. You can resume your normal activities after donating blood, though you are asked to refrain from exercise or heavy weight lifting for twelve hours after donation. Donating blood will not leave you low of blood; in fact you will still have surplus blood after the donation. While donating blood you will not feel any pain. You will not faint or feel uncomfortable after donating blood. This is a common misconception. You will not get AIDS if you donate blood. Patients are just like donors - most of them have common blood types. Because your blood type is common, the demand for that type is greater than for rare types. So, even if your blood type is common there is still a requirement.

Who needs blood?

Under normal circumstances, every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion. Blood transfusions are used for trauma victims - due to accidents and burns - heart surgery, organ transplants, women with complications during childbirth, newborns and premature babies, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia.