Making a blood bank donation is a generous act that can help save the lives of people in need of blood transfusions. In order to make a blood donation, donors must meet eligibility criteria and be in generally good health. Donors can also choose between several different types of blood bank donation, including whole blood cell, plasma, and platelet. Making a blood donation often requires donors to make an appointment with a blood bank, and make some basic preparations on the day of donation.
Most blood banks have some criteria to ensure that donors are in good health and capable of safely donating blood. In many regions, donors must be over 17, or they can be slightly younger with parental permission. Some blood banks have height and weight minimums that help make sure that donors are robust enough for donation. Donors need to be free of any ailments that can be transmitted through blood, and may need to present a list of any ongoing medications.
There are actually several different forms of blood bank donation, including whole blood cell, plasma, and platelet. In whole blood cell donation, donors give the entire blood cell, which is collected through a simple needle extraction. Plasma and platelet donation uses a special process called apheresis, in which the desired component is separated from the red blood cells, which are then returned to the body. Some donors who meet additional health requirements may also be able to give double red cell donations, which use the apheresis process to take more red cells, while returning platelets and plasma to the body.
Stationary blood banks often require that patients make an appointment to make a donation. Mobile clinics, by contrast, publish their schedule and allow walk-in donations during the hours in which they are available. If a blood bank is lacking in a specific blood type, donors who possess that blood type may be given preference for appointments. Regular donors may not be able to schedule their next appointment until they have completed a waiting period that gives the body time to replenish its blood supply. Depending on the type of blood bank donation, the waiting period may be anywhere from a week to four months.
On the day of a blood bank donation, donors should take care to hydrate and eat well, and bring necessary documents. Some blood banks recommend eating foods that are high in iron for a day or two before an appointment. Many blood banks will also provide snacks for donors after they complete their donation, to help them regain some energy. Donors may need to bring identification and health records, and may also need to fill out a medical history form. It may help to wear a loose, short-sleeved top, to make insertion of the needle easier.
