Are you planning to donate blood? You may need to read this first:

Who can donate?
To ensure the safety of blood supplied, donors must meet certain requirements before donating.

You may be eligible to be a blood donor if you

• weigh more than 45 kilograms (100 lbs.) for 250 ml. of donated blood;50 kilograms (110 lbs.) for 450 ml. of donated blood
• are in good health
• are aged 16-65 years of age ( for ages 16 & 17, parental consent is needed)
• blood pressure in safe range - 90- 160 mmHg systolic and 60-100mmgHg diastolic
• hemoglobin is at least 125 g/l (12.5 g/dl)

Conditions that can prevent you from sharing your blood

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Hyperthyroidism
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Severe psychiatric disorder
• Epilepsy / convulsions
• Severe bronchitis & other lung disorders, such as TB
• AIDS, Syphilis & other sexually transmitted diseases (past or present)
• Malaria
• Kidney & liver diseases, such as Hepatitis
• Prolonged bleeding
• Use of prohibited drugs

Steps on how to donate blood:

• Go to the nearest BLOOD COLLECTION UNIT (BCU) located in a government hospital
• Register as a potential blood donor
• Your health history will be taken
• A physical examination follows to check on your weight, temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
• A blood test will be done to know your blood group type

What happens to your blood after you donate?
Unless whole blood is urgently needed, your blood donation, once cleared by all screening tests, is separated into its components - and using the particular component needed by a patient, it is now possible to use a single donation to treat several patients suffering from different illnesses. The technique is known as 'blood component therapy'.

Who receives blood?
From a single blood donation, up to 13 products can be produced, all serving a vital function to others in need.

Those who receive blood form donations include:

• patients suffering from shock
• lost 20% or more of blood in an accident
• loss in surgery
• leukemia
• childbirth
• major trauma
• liver transplants
• hemophilia

What are the blood components in common use?
Red cell concentrates are the most widely used blood component. Most patients requiring transfusions are in need of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the red cells, however few require whole blood. Most require red cells only. Red cell concentrates contain all the red cells of a unit of blood in about half the original volume. These red cells are mixed with special additive solution containing extra glucose and other substances to keep the cells alive and functioning.

Platelet concentrates are used to control bleeding due to platelet deficiencies. These may be caused by disease (e.g. leukemia) or may follow severe hemorrhage. Platelet concentrates can be stored for 5 days.

Cryoprecipitate is occasionally used for the treatment of Haemophilia A, the most common inherited bleeding disease, but is more commonly used in the treatment of massive bleeding.

How is blood kept free from bacteria?
Blood is collected with special care to avoid contamination, then kept cold to prevent bacteria from growing. Refrigerators with thermostatic controls keep the blood temperature between 4degC and 6degC. An alarm sounds if it varies outside these limits and an auxiliary power source is used to keep the refrigerator operating if the power supply fails.

When blood is transported, similar temperatures are maintained by using insulated carrying boxes and ice refrigerated delivery vehicles.

For how long can blood be stored?
Whole blood and red cell concentrates were in the past stored for four weeks. With the new blood preservatives the shelf life can be safely extended to five weeks. Plasma can be stored frozen for 12 months.

What to expect when donating...
Upon arrival at the blood collection unit/blood bank, you will be asked to fill up a Donor's Form.

It is important that we protect both you and the patients who receive your blood from suffering any adverse affects from your donation. Therefore, on your first visit, you will be interviewed about your past and present medical history. This will take about 15 minutes and is confidential.

To ensure that your hemoglobin (iron) level is high enough for you to donate, a small sample of blood from your finger will be tested. (We don't want you to be anemic after you donate).

Before you donate blood, your blood pressure will be measured. The donation takes 5-10 minutes. Approximately 450cc of blood will be taken, which is about 7-9% of the blood volume of an average adult.

The volume will be replaced by your body within 24-48 hours and by drinking more fluids.

Every time you donate, your blood is tested for diseases such as HIV (AIDS), Syphilis and both Hepatitis B&C. Your donation is also checked to identify and confirm your blood group.

After donating blood...
Keep an eye on your dressing. You should leave the adhesive dressing on your arm for at least 3 hours but not more than twelve (12) hours. Do not be alarmed if some bruising or discoloration occurs. It will disappear in a few days.

Avoid carrying heavy objects with your donating arm. And do not smoke for the next 2 hours and avoid alcohol intake for the next twelve (12) hours.

Eat regular meals and increase fluid intake following your donation.