KyAMCH BDN
Complete Donor Guidelines · Based on WHO & Clinical Guidelines
Every two seconds someone needs blood. One donation can save up to three lives. Here's everything you need to know — eligibility, preparation, benefits, myths, and more.
KyAMCH BDN
WHO Guidelines
Blood donation is a healthy habit that supports natural blood renewal — the donated volume is compensated within 24 hours, and red cells are fully replaced within several weeks.
Generally 18 to 65 years. In some countries, 16–17 year-olds may donate with parental consent and if physical criteria are met. Regular donors over 65 may be accepted at a physician's discretion.
18–65 yearsYou must weigh at least 50 kg. For 350 ml donations, a minimum of 45 kg may be accepted in some countries.
≥ 50 kgYou must be in good health on donation day — no cold, flu, sore throat, stomach bug, or any active infection. Dental procedures: wait 24 hrs for minor work, 1 month for major.
Good health requiredMinimum Hb levels: ≥12 g/dl for females and ≥13 g/dl for males. A finger-prick test is performed on-site before every donation. You will not be allowed to donate if levels fall below the threshold.
Tested on-siteMales may donate every 4 months. Females every 6 months. After pregnancy, defer for as many months as the pregnancy lasted, plus at least 3 months after significant weaning.
Males 4mo · Females 6moTravel to malaria, dengue, or Zika-endemic areas may cause a temporary deferral. Tattoos or piercings require a 6-month wait (or 12 hours if performed by a registered health professional with no inflammation). Individuals with a positive HIV test or history of injected recreational drug use are permanently deferred. Anyone engaging in at-risk sexual activity in the past 12 months should also defer. Full WHO guidelines →
Instructions
Preparing properly ensures your donation is safe, effective, and comfortable — for you and the recipient.
Don't donate on an empty stomach. Eat a light meal and wait at least 30 minutes before heading to the centre.
Get a good night's sleep the evening before your donation.
Drink 2 glasses of water before arriving. Good hydration makes veins easier to find and reduces dizziness risk.
Do not donate if you have fever or are currently taking antibiotics, aspirin, antihistamines, or insulin.
Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to donation.
No smoking for at least 30 minutes before (or after) your donation.
Disclose all medications to the screening staff. Not all medicines disqualify you — staff will assess eligibility individually.
After a minor dental procedure, wait 24 hours. For major dental work, wait one full month.
Eat and drink something before leaving the donor area — this is essential, never skip it.
Drink extra fluids for the next 4 hours to help your body recover and replenish plasma volume.
If there is bleeding at the needle site, raise your arm and apply firm pressure until it stops.
If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down immediately or sit with your head between your knees until it passes.
Avoid driving, vigorous exercise, or intense physical activity for at least 2–3 hours after donation.
If any symptoms persist, telephone the blood bank or consult a doctor promptly.
Remove the bandage after 1 hour. Resume all normal activities once you feel fully asymptomatic.
Avoid iron-rich food restrictions — eat normally and consider iron-rich foods (spinach, lentils, red meat) in the days after.
What to Expect
From registration to refreshments, a typical whole-blood donation takes about an hour — the actual blood collection lasts only 8–10 minutes.
Provide ID and complete a confidential health history questionnaire covering travel, medications, and lifestyle factors.
Staff check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and haemoglobin via a quick finger-prick test — all free of charge.
A sterile, single-use needle collects approximately 450 ml of whole blood. The actual draw typically takes only 8–10 minutes.
Rest for 10–15 minutes and enjoy provided refreshments. This step is mandatory for your safety — please don't rush away.
Your blood is screened for HIV, hepatitis B & C, syphilis, and other infections before being separated into components for patients.
Each donation can help up to three patients. Whole blood can be refrigerated for up to 35 days if not used immediately.
Science-Backed Benefits
Research increasingly shows that regular blood donation isn't just altruistic — it may offer genuine health advantages for the donor as well.
Regular donation lowers blood viscosity and iron stores, reducing oxidative stress on arteries and vessels. One landmark study found regular donors were significantly less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to non-donors.
American Journal of Epidemiology; NYP/Columbia University Medical CenterStudies suggest that lowering iron stores via donation may reduce the risk of liver, lung, colon, and oesophageal cancers. New research from the Francis Crick Institute also found frequent donors carry genetic mutations less associated with leukaemia.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute; Francis Crick Institute, London (2024)Every donation includes a complimentary mini-physical: pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and haemoglobin. Your blood is also tested for HIV, hepatitis B & C, and syphilis — offering valuable early detection.
Healthline; American Red CrossEach donation triggers your bone marrow to generate fresh blood cells, contributing to healthier, more resilient red blood cells over time. This natural renewal process may promote long-term cellular health.
Francis Crick Institute; SunCoast Blood CentersThe knowledge that your action will help save lives is a proven mood-booster. Studies link altruistic behaviour to reduced stress — itself a significant risk factor for heart disease and poor immune function.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic; NYP Health MattersEmerging evidence suggests that by reducing excess iron stores — high iron is linked to increased diabetes risk in otherwise healthy individuals — regular blood donation may help improve insulin sensitivity.
Journal of the American Medical Association; The Conversation (2026)Compatibility Guide
Your ABO and Rh blood type determines who you can donate to and receive from. There are over 300 known blood antigens — but the ABO/Rh system is the most clinically critical.
Type O negative is the universal red cell donor type and is given in emergencies before a patient's blood type is known. It is disproportionately in demand but represents only about 7% of the population. The American Red Cross declared an emergency shortage of O negative blood in 2024, with national inventory dropping over 25% in a single month. Find O Negative blood →
Common Misconceptions
Misinformation prevents many eligible people from donating. Here are the most common myths — and the evidence-based truth behind each one.
Donating blood is painful and takes too long.
Fact: The needle prick lasts only a second. The actual blood collection takes 8–10 minutes; the entire visit is about an hour including registration, screening, and rest. Most donors describe the experience as very manageable.
You can catch diseases from donating blood.
Fact: It is completely impossible to contract any disease by donating blood. Every needle and collection bag is sterile, single-use, and discarded safely after your donation. There is zero risk of infection for the donor.
If you take medication, you cannot donate.
Fact: Many medications do not disqualify you. Eligibility depends on the condition being treated and whether it is well managed. Common medications like birth control, vitamins, and many over-the-counter drugs are perfectly acceptable. Always disclose all medications at screening so staff can assess your eligibility.
Donating blood causes anaemia or makes you weak long-term.
Fact: The plasma volume lost is replenished within 24 hours. Red blood cells are fully replaced within several weeks. Donation guidelines are set specifically to ensure your body has adequate time to recover between donations. Most donors feel completely normal within hours.
Older adults cannot donate blood.
Fact: In many countries, healthy regular donors over 65 can continue donating at a physician's discretion. There is no universal upper age cut-off for donors who are in good health and meet all other criteria. Age alone is not a disqualifier.
Vegetarians or people with lower iron cannot donate.
Fact: Vegetarians can donate provided their haemoglobin levels meet the required threshold. A quick test at the donation centre will determine this. If your levels are too low on the day, staff will advise you on how to boost iron levels before your next attempt.
Anyone who has travelled abroad cannot donate.
Fact: Travel does not permanently disqualify you. A temporary deferral may apply if you visited regions with endemic malaria, dengue, Zika, or vCJD risk — but this is time-limited. Blood centres will advise you based on your specific travel history.
The Bigger Picture
Blood donation remains critically undersupplied worldwide. Understanding the scale of need makes every individual donation even more meaningful.
Special Donations
Platelet donations are especially vital for cancer patients, those undergoing major surgery, and people with clotting disorders. Requirements differ from whole-blood donation.
Donors must be aged 18–60 years and weigh more than 50 kg. Crucially, donors must not have taken Plavix (clopidogrel) or Ticlid (ticlopidine) in the last 14 days — these antiplatelet medications interfere with platelet function and compromise the effectiveness of the donation.
A united blood donation community open to everyone — medical & university students, school & college students, nurses, doctors, teachers, staff, and all local people around Khwaja Yunus Ali Medical College & Hospital. Your generosity takes one hour — its impact lasts a lifetime.
Register as blood donor→World Health Organization (WHO). "Who Can Give Blood?" — World Blood Donor Day Guidelines (2018). who.int
World Health Organization (WHO). "Blood Safety and Availability" — WHO Fact Sheet (updated 2024). who.int
Myers DJ, Collins RA. "Blood Donation." In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; 2026. Updated October 7, 2024. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
American Red Cross. "Emergency Blood Shortage — National Inventory Falls 25% in July 2024." Press Release, August 2024. redcross.org
American Red Cross. "Blood Types Explained — A, B, AB and O." Red Cross Blood Services. redcrossblood.org
Francis Crick Institute, London. Research on frequent blood donation and reduced leukaemia-associated mutations (published in the journal Blood, 2024). Reported by The Conversation, January 2026. theconversation.com
American Journal of Epidemiology (1998). Study on blood donation and reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Cited in Kelsey-Seybold Clinic health blog. kelsey-seybold.com
DeSimone RA, Stone E. "The Surprising Benefits of Donating Blood." NewYork-Presbyterian Health Matters. nyp.org
Healthline Medical Team. "Benefits of Donating Blood: Side Effects, Advantages, and More." Reviewed May 2023. healthline.com
Northwestern Medicine. "9 Myths About Donating Blood." Reviewed by Glenn Ramsey, MD, Medical Director, Blood Bank, Northwestern Memorial Hospital. nm.org
Valley Children's Healthcare / Central California Blood Center. "Busting Blood Donation Myths: What You Need to Know" (2024). valleychildrens.org
We Are Blood. "Debunking 10 Common Myths About Blood Donation." Updated September 2023 per revised FDA donor eligibility guidance. weareblood.org
Zadey S et al. "The global blood donation index: an imperfect measure of transfusion need." The Lancet, September 2024. thelancet.com
Raykar N, Raguveer V, Abdella Y et al. "Viewpoint: Blood Deserts Face the Burden of Global Blood Deficits." Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, February 2024, Vol. 109. facs.org
Athens Science Observer. "The U.S. Blood Shortage: Why This Crisis Matters." March 2025. athensscienceobserver.com
Arshad M, Ellahi A, Ahmed F, Usman J, Khan SA. "Blood Donation: Fears and Myths in Healthcare Workers of the Future." Journal of Blood Medicine, Vol. 15, pp. 487–493, November 2024.