June 14th every year is World Blood Donor Day. This day is set aside to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. It also raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products.

Have you ever given blood? Do you plan to? Now, before you stroll down to the next clinic to donate, please read the post below…an earlier post I had made on requirements for donating blood. Enjoy…. 

To donate blood, you have to be at least 17 years or over, in good health with a healthy blood count and weigh more than 50kg, you can donate whole blood every 56 days and your blood will be screened for viruses and bacteria. 

Now to specifics…. 

Before the blood donation, be sure to do the following: 

Ensure that you are eating an iron-rich diet like green, leafy veggies, red meat, cereals fortified with iron etc.Avoid fatty foods

Be sure to avoid alcohol and take in lots of fluids (water and other juices)Bring along your donor card and form of ID

Avoid vigorous exercise

During the blood donation, be sure to 

Wear loose and comfortable clothing which can be folded above the elbow.

Relax and let the bleeding proceed 

You shouldn’t feel any pain after the initial prick. If you do, please call the attention of the medic close by. 

After the blood donation, 

Don’t be in a hurry 

Relax and have a snack and a few drinks (non-alcoholic, please)

Avoid smoking in the first 2 hours

Avoid alcohol in the first 8 hours

Avoid strenuous exercise and do not carry heavy stuff with that arm for the rest of the day

Keep the pressure bandage on for about 30 minutes afterwards

Keep the plaster on though for about 6 hours after.If you feel lightheaded, please lie down, drink a lot of fluid and rest until you feel better

If the donation site starts to bleed, please apply pressure and elevate arm. If this continues, please see your doctor.

Go save some lives 🙂