How To Become A BLOOD DONOR

General Criteria

You CAN DONATE BLOOD if….

• you Smoke. However DO NOT smoke four days before donating.
• you have Sickle Cell Trait
• you have High Blood Pressure and it is under control
• you are Diabetic but NOT on insulin.
• your Tattoo was done over one year ago
• you are having a Monthly Period

after Surgery and Pregnancy you should wait six months before donating blood.
if you have a Cold, DO NOT give blood until you are well.

To be a blood donor you must:

1. Be in GOOD HEALTH.
2. Be within the ages of 17 to 60 years
3. Weigh 110 pounds (50kg.) or more

What to do before you donate blood:

1. Have a meal half an hour to 3 hours before donating
2. Wear short-sleeve, loose fitting clothing

To determine if you are eligible to donate we will:

1. Ask questions about health, travel and medication.
2. Ask questions to see if you might be at risk for hepatitis, HIV or any other blood- borne infection.
3. Take a small blood sample to make sure you are not anemic and to identify your blood type
4. Take your blood pressure and pulse.

How long does the process take:

Please reserve about 45 minutes to 1 hour for donating.  The actual bleeding process takes 4-10mins (depending on the individual).  The rest of the time is needed for processing and resting after donation.

What to do after you donate:

1. Drink a lot of fluids and eat foods rich in iron.
2. Avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for the rest of the day.

After donating most persons will not feel different and are able to perform their usual duties.  Your body will naturally replace the blood that you donated.

What is your blood used for:

1. Replace blood lost due to Trauma (motor vehicle accidents, stabs wounds, burns etc.)
2. Treat persons with Rare Abnormalities such as haemophilia
3. Replace blood lost during Surgical Procedures (cardiac surgery, complications in pregnancy, etc)
4. To assist Sickle Cell Patients
5. Anaemia of various causes