Donation Guidelines
Learn who can donate blood and how to prepare for your life-saving donation.
Donation Frequency
Men: Every 3 months
Women: Every 4 months
Weight Requirement
Minimum 50 kg (110 lbs) to donate
Donation Amount
450 ml (about 1 pint) per donation
Who Can Donate
Basic Requirements
- Age 18-65 years (16-17 with parental consent)
- Weight at least 50 kg (110 lbs)
- Hemoglobin level at least 12.5 g/dL
- In good general health
- No fever or illness symptoms
Before You Donate
- Eat a healthy meal before donating
- Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice)
- Get a good night's sleep
- Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen 48 hours before
- Bring valid photo ID
Who Cannot Donate
Temporary Deferrals
- Cold/flu - until symptom-free for 48 hours
- Pregnancy - 6 months after delivery
- Tattoos/piercings - 6 months wait
- Surgery - wait until fully recovered
- Malaria - 3 years after treatment
Permanent Deferrals
- HIV/AIDS or at risk for HIV
- Hepatitis B or C infection
- Certain cancers or blood diseases
- Use of illegal intravenous drugs
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease risk
The Donation Process
1
Registration
Complete donor registration form and provide photo ID.
2
Health Check
Brief medical exam including blood pressure, pulse, and hemoglobin test.
3
Donation
Actual blood donation takes about 8-10 minutes.
4
Refreshment
Rest for 10-15 minutes and enjoy light snacks.
5
Post-Donation Care
Avoid heavy lifting/exercise for 24 hours.
6
Next Donation
Return after 3 months (men) or 4 months (women).
After Your Donation
Do's
- Drink extra fluids for 48 hours
- Eat iron-rich foods (meat, spinach)
- Keep bandage on for 4-6 hours
- Lie down if you feel dizzy
Don'ts
- Smoke for 4 hours
- Drink alcohol for 24 hours
- Strenuous exercise for 24 hours
- Use the donation arm to lift heavy objects
Frequently Asked Questions
You may feel a brief pinch when the needle is inserted, but most donors report little to no pain during the donation process itself.
The entire process takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour, though the actual blood donation only takes 8-10 minutes.
No, you should wait until you are completely symptom-free for at least 48 hours before donating blood.
Men can donate every 3 months (4 times per year) and women can donate every 4 months (3 times per year).
Yes, donating blood is completely safe. All equipment is sterile, used only once, and then discarded.