IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD

DONATION
DID YOU KNOW?
• When someone donates
a pint (450ml) of
blood, that blood is
separated into red
cells, plasma and
platelets.
• Each one of these can be
given to a different
patient who needs only
that part of the blood.
TYPES OF DONATION
 Before you donate
It's important that you look after your health in
the lead up to your donation. In particular, make
sure you drink lots of water and get plenty to eat.

The day before

On the day before donating, drink 10 glasses of
fluid if you are a man, and 8 if you are a woman.

On the day
For a plasma or platelet donation, have 3 large
glasses of water in the 3 hours prior to your
appointment.
For blood donation, have 2 large glasses of water
in the 3 hours prior, and another 2 glasses when
you arrive.
 Interview
•A trained staff member will go
over your questionnaire answers
with you and ask some questions
to check that you're fine to
donate.

•They'll give you a 'finger prick'

test to check your level of
haemoglobin (a protein which
contains iron) and test your blood
pressure.
 WHO YOUR BLOOD HELPS
People of all walks of life need
blood products. Some need it to
get them through a serious event
in their lives, like cancer or a
difficult pregnancy. Others have
medical conditions which mean
they need blood products
regularly to stay alive or be
healthy.
THANK YOU