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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Blood Donation
Who can donate blood?
- Potential donors must be in general good health, without cold or flu symptoms.
What form of identification should I bring?
The following forms of identification will be accepted:
- Passport (Not Expired)
- Driver’s License
- SSS ID with picture
- GSIS ID with picture
- TIN ID with picture
- Company ID (recent not expired)
- Major Credit cards with picture
- Membership Cards with picture
- Firearms license ID
- Postal ID with picture
- Voter’s ID with picture
- NBI clearance with picture
- Barangay ID with picture
- Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID
- PRC ID
- School ID (current)
How often can I donate blood?
In general, one can donate whole blood once every 56 days or two months. The waiting period between donations can be different for other blood components. For example, donating only platelets in a process called apheresis requires only a 3 day wait before a person can give again. Donating two units of red blood cells through a similar process doubles the waiting period to 112 days.
How much blood is taken?
- For platelet donation, the amount collected will depend on your weight, height and platelet count.
Will it hurt?
- You may feel an initial pinch with the needle but you should not feel any discomfort during the donation
process.
Will I feel dizzy after donation blood?
- Most people feel fine after donation blood. Your body makes new blood constantly and the blood you give will be replaced within hours. Drinking water and juice will help your body replenish lost fluids.
What are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?
There are certain conditions that can prevent a person temporarily or permanently from donating blood:
Temporary
- Pregnancy
- Acute fever
- Ear or body piercing and tattooing
- Recent surgery (1 year)
Permanent
- Cancers
- Cardiac diseases
- Severe lung diseases
- Viral hepatitis
- HIV infection, AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases (STD)
- High risk occupations (e.g. prostitution)
- Prolonged bleeding
- Chronic alcoholism
What will happen to the blood I donated?
- Your blood will be tested for various diseases transmissible by blood such as Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, HIV and malaria. It will then be processed into components (red blood cells, platelets and plasma). Your single unit of blood can help at least three (3) patients.
Can you explain the process of donation?
- First you have to fill out the blood donor information sheet. You will be asked to present a valid identification card.
- One of the Blood Donor Recruitment staff will check your vital signs, you will be asked about your health (all information given are confidential) to ensure that you are eligible to donate blood.
- A blood sample will be taken to check your hemoglobin.
- After donation you will be given juice to replenish lost fluids during donation.
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