Frequently Asked Questions

Men can donate blood at an interval of 3 months; while women should restrict it to twice or thrice a year else it may lead to iron deficiency. Donating blood helps the donor to maintain his/her health and at the same time experience the joy of saving somebody’s life.

Female donors do not have the same levels of stored iron as male donors for lots of reasons. This means that they cannot donate as often as their male counterparts. Men can donate blood at an interval of 3 months; while women should restrict it to twice or thrice a year else it may lead to iron deficiency. Donating blood helps the donor to maintain his/her health and at the same time experience the joy of saving somebody’s life.

There is no problem with vegetarians giving blood. The red blood cells, which require iron from the stores in your body, will need to be replaced after the donation. Provided you eat a well-balanced diet sufficient in iron, then you should be able to replenish your iron supply before your next donation.

We advise that you refrain from smoking for about two hours after donating , as it might make you feel dizzy or faint.

There is always an infection risk whenever the skin is pierced. If you have had acupuncture or any complementary therapy involving penetration by needles, please wait 4 months from receiving any of these treatments. After that you can donate blood

Only for a moment. Pinch the fleshy, soft underside of your arm. That pinch is similar to what you will feel when the needle is inserted.

After you give blood:

• Take the following precautions:
– Drink an extra four glasses (eight ounces each) of non-alcoholic liquids.
– Keep your bandage on and dry for the next five hours, and do not do heavy exercising or lifting.
– If the needle site starts to bleed, raise your arm straight up and press on the site until the bleeding stops.
– Because you could experience dizziness or loss of strength, use caution if you plan to do anything that could put you or others at risk of harm. For any hazardous occupation or hobby, follow applicable safety recommendations regarding your return to these activities following a blood donation.
– Eat healthy meals and consider adding iron-rich foods to your regular diet, or discuss taking an iron supplement with your health care provider, to replace the iron lost with blood donation.

• If you get a bruise: Apply ice to the area intermittently for 10-15 minutes during the first 24 hours. Thereafter, apply warm, moist heat to the area intermittently for 10-15 minutes. A rainbow of colors may occur for about 10 days.
• If you get dizzy or lightheaded: Stop what you are doing, lie down, and raise your feet until the feeling passes and you feel well enough to safely resume activities.
• And remember to enjoy the feeling of knowing you have helped save lives!

a.You wont feel drained or tired if you continue to drink fluids and have a good meal.
b. 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.
c. Donating blood will not leave you low of blood; in fact you will still have surplus blood after the donation.
d. If you choose to consume alcohol, you can on the next day.
e.While donating blood you will not feel any pain.
f. You will not faint or feel uncomfortable after donating blood. This is a common misconception.
g. You will not get AIDS if you donate blood.
h. 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.
i. Blood donors donate blood and do not sell it.