Who can use it? of Blood donation

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You can donate blood every 16 weeks. Regular donors make donations up to three times a year. This allows your body time to build up its stores of iron before the next donation.

On the day that you donate blood, you should drink plenty of liquid (but not alcohol) and you should eat your normal meals.

Nearly everyone who is aged between 17 and 60, weighs over 50kg, and is in good general health, can give blood. Once you have given your first donation you can continue to give blood till your 70th birthday.

A confidential health interview the first time you come to donate is necessary to check that you are fit to give blood and that your blood is safe for the patients who receive it. You will be asked to complete a Health check questionnaire and will be asked a few other questions designed to prevent the transmission of infection. This includes diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV (AIDS) and malaria. If you are unwell on the day, (e.g. with flu or a cold), you will not be able to give blood.

If you have had a tattoo or any form of body piercing in the last 6 months you may not donate. You must also tell the donor carer if you have had any of these procedures in the last 12 months because an additional test will need to be conducted. If you have recently been taking antibiotics you will have to wait a week until you have finished them and you must have fully recovered from your infection. Women may not donate while they are pregnant and for a period of time afterwards, equal to the duration of the pregnancy (normally 9 months). Breastfeeding mothers can give blood provided they are not anaemic.

Changes to legislation in the UK mean that from 5th April 2004, people who have had or may have had a blood transfusion since 1st January 1980 will no longer be able to donate blood. The new rules have been enforced to further reduce the possible risk of vCJD (variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) being transmitted in blood and blood products.