Got any burning questions about giving blood?
Of course you have. Most people do.
Well, in that case, you should hopefully find the answer you need right here.
About Donating
Q Who can give blood?
A Anyone between the ages of 17 and 60 who are fit and healthy. Regular donors can keep on giving blood right up until the age of 70. For more information on who can donate, please click here.
Q Will I be asked hundreds of questions before I give blood?
A Yes, we will be asking you a number of questions, but don't worry - we promise to get through it all as quickly as possible. And there is a good reason for it. Our primary concern is that giving blood won't affect your health in any way. We also have to make sure that your blood is safe for patients. We just need to find out whether or not you can give blood. Things like medical conditions, even colds, can all affect your suitability, although usually it's just temporary. We do need your co-operation in answering these questions. And of course all your details will be treated in the strictest confidence. Click here for the Medical query form.
Q What if I need to take medication?
A Do tell us if you're on any kind of medication. Medicines, pills, injections, anything. Some of these may affect your blood and mean we can't take your donation for now. For more information please call 0845 7 711 711
Q Can I bring a friend?
A Please do. The more the merrier!
Q How often can I give blood?
A 3 times a year, which comes to roughly every 16 weeks.
Q How much blood will I lose?
A Only about 470 ml, which is just under a pint, and not, as some have thought, quite an armful. Bodies are amazing things, and yours will replace that lost fluid in a very short period of time.
Q How will giving blood affect my health?
A If you're fit and healthy, you shouldn't experience any problems whatsoever.
Q What if I develop an infection after I donate?
A If you become unwell within two weeks of your donation, or if you believe there's any reason why your blood shouldn't be transfused to a patient, please call us on 0845 7 711 711.
Q What if I feel faint when I get home?
A You need to take it easy for a few hours after giving blood, so give that aerobics class a miss. But if you do feel faint or dizzy, sit down immediately and put your head between your knees. Ideally, let someone else know if you're feeling a bit faint. If faintness persists after your donation, don't hesitate to call us on 0845 7 711 711 to let us know and we'll be able to advise you further. Click here for more on feeling faint.
Q What can I do before and after giving blood?
A Drink loads of liquid before and after you donate - and not the alcoholic variety please. Eat your regular meals too, and do let us know if you've skipped a meal on the day.
Q Can I smoke after giving blood?
A Probably best that you don't for about two hours after donating, as it might make you feel dizzy or faint.
Q Can I go back to work on the same day?
A Unfortunately the answer is yes. However, there's always an 'however' - and it's unwise to give blood just before undertaking a hazardous hobby or job, such as driving a crane or driving in the emergency services.
Q Where does your blood go?
A Your blood will be taken to one of our many blood centres up and down the country. There the blood will undergo some rigorous tests to make sure it's clear of things like HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis.
That's when we also figure out your blood group too. Once that's been determined, we do the tricky scientific stuff - separating the various components, like red cells, plasma and platelets. These produce the various products needed. Once the blood has been sorted into its different types, and all the tests are clear, it's then distributed to hospitals to meet their predicted demand. There your blood is used on whoever needs it most. Click here to see the current blood stock levels.
Q I want to organise a talk for my local youth group about blood donation - how do I go about it?
A The NBS can provide informative talks for groups, schools and colleges. Click here and fill in the enquiry form, or telephone our donor helpline for details on 0845 7 711 711.
Q I gave up smoking and I am using patches, will I still be able to give blood?
A Yes, probably. If you suffer from any symptoms as a result of quitting, we suggest you only give blood once those symptoms have passed.
Most patches, nasal sprays and gum do not prevent you from giving blood but bring them along to the session and show the nurse or doctor before donating.
Q I sometimes take tranquillisers. Does this prevent me from giving blood?
A The session medical staff will need to see what medication you are on, so bring it with you. The nurse or doctor may have a quick chat with you about your medication and any underlying condition, but in the vast majority of cases tranquillisers do not stop you from giving blood.
Q I suffer from varicose veins. As blood is carried around my body through my veins am I able to give blood?
A Providing you are otherwise fit and healthy you are still able to be a blood donor and donating will do you no harm. However, if you are awaiting surgery or have recently had surgery this may temporarily exclude you.
Q I?ve heard that the NBS now wants to know a donor?s ethnic origin. Why does this matter?
A The ethnic origin of donors is medically important because it makes it easier for us to find and match blood for recipients with rarer blood groups. Secondly, the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 means that we have to monitor the accessibility of our services to all communities, including how well we provide opportunities to donate blood. All personal donor information remains confidential, and is seen and used only by our staff and those we work closely with in providing our services. If you prefer not to give us this information, that?s no problem, just tell us and we won?t ask you again for it.
Q I've just had a tattoo and am dismayed that I can't donate for 6 months. Why? My tattooist is registered with the local council and new needles were used.
A There is always an infection risk whenever the skin is pierced, and tattooing means lots of piercing. Acupuncturists and other therapists who are members of professional organisations that are approved by the NBS are permitted to issue their clients/patients with certificates showing that the body piercing has been carried out under approved conditions and is free of the risk of infection. As yet, there is no professional organisation that will do this for tattooists. You MUST tell us if you have had ear piercing, body piercing or tattooing, or have had acupuncture outside of the NHS between 6 and 12 months ago as your donation will need an additional blood test.
Q I have started taking 75mg of aspirin a day to thin my blood and help prevent heart attacks. Will this affect my ability to donate blood?
A You can donate blood but, because aspirin may affect platelet function, your donation will not be used for preparing platelets. That is why it is always important to let us know if you are taking any over the counter medication regularly.
Q I've heard that blood is used for research. Isn't it all needed by patients?
A When you come to donate blood the leaflet you are asked to read, tells you that occasionally blood that is not needed for transfusion maybe used for research and development work. All such use is carefully controlled, ethical approval is obtained where appropriate and no donor is identified.
Q I am a vegetarian, can I give blood?
A There is no problem with vegetarians giving blood. The red blood cells, which require iron from the stores in your body, will need to be replaced after the donation. Provided you eat a well-balanced diet you should be able to replenish your iron supply within a month. However, this may take longer because you are a vegetarian.
Q Why are people who have or think they may have received a blood transfusion since 1980 no longer able to give blood?
A This step has been implemented by all four of the UK Blood Services on 2nd August 2004. It is a further precautionary measure against the possible risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) being transmitted by blood and blood products.
vCJD is thought to be the consequence of eating contaminated beef, related to BSE (or mad cow disease) in UK cattle after 1980. Fortunately, vCJD is very rare. But in late 2003, there was evidence that a blood donor transmitted vCJD to a patient, via transfusion. Scientists are not 100% sure that this is the case, as it is possible that both donor and patient acquired vCJD by eating contaminated beef.
Donor Award Scheme
Q Why have you changed the award system?
A You may already be aware that we introduced a new awards system at the beginning of 2002. Until the introduction of this new system our arrangements for thanking donors for their commitment was undertaken differently within the different geographical regions around the country. This was confusing and seemed particularly unfair to donors. The new initiative aims to promote the National Blood Service as a truly national organisation, providing a more consistent approach.
Q How did you decide on which milestones to celebrate / what awards to give?
A Donors across the country were consulted to find out what they really wanted and we used this feedback to develop our new policy. We asked them not only what they would like to receive but also how much we should spend on each gift. We needed to find a happy medium, which would take into account the wishes of donors who did not want us to spend too much.
Q I have now made 81 donations, but I have never received an award for my 75th donation?
A Before the implementation of our new national awards policy, in some regions there was no 75th award and this is why you may not have received this award.
Q I reached my donation milestones a long time ago, why haven?t I been sent awards for these?
A Regrettably, the decision not to offer retrospective awards, including invitations to ceremonies, was made on financial grounds.
Question still not answered? Then fill in our online form or call us on 0845 7 711 711