Donating blood is a small decision you can make that can have an immeasurable impact. Taking around an hour out of your day and braving a tiny pin prick could mean the difference between life and death for someone in need.
Each person has between 3.5 and 5.5 liters of blood, yet donating one unit – just 525ml – can save the lives of as many as three people.[1] On the other hand, car accident victims can require upwards of 50 units[2]. Blood is always in demand, and demand is always shifting. Canada’s lifeline is fragile; factors as commonplace as bad weather or as terrifying as natural disasters can destabilize systems and deplete stores, leaving people’s lives hanging in the balance.
Read more: A heartfelt thanks: how blood donations changed my life | Canadian Blood Services
Read more: 10 ways that blood and plasma are used
The Perks of Donating
Read more: What’s your reason? | Australian Red Cross
Read more: Donor Stories — Stanford Center
Managing hurdles
| If you’re worried about… | Try… |
| Needle pain/fear | Looking away from the needle, breathing slowly and deeply, distracting yourself (with music, talking, reading, playing a game or watching a video on your phone, etc.)[3] |
| Soreness after donating | Icing the area, elevating your arm, gentle movement.[4] |
| Fainting/feeling lightheaded | Using the Applied Muscle Tension (AMT) technique – tensing major muscle groups to increase blood pressure.[5] |
| Irritation from the materials | Alerting staff of allergies (e.g. latex, certain disinfectants, etc), removing the bandage after donating and washing the area with soapy water.[6] |
| My blood type being too rare/not being rare enough to matter. | Remembering that donations of all types are always needed. Less common types can be harder to source (meaning supply is lower), while more common types are transfused more often (meaning demand is higher). Either way, someone out there could benefit from your donation.[7] |
Read more: 10 barriers to donating
Read more: Answers To Concerns About Donating Blood | Red Cross Blood Services
Set yourself up for success!
Before your appointment[8]
- Take Canadian Blood Service’s eligibility quiz to see if you are a good candidate (around half of Canadians are!) [9]
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Sit back while the donation process takes place
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Eat a filling, nutritious meal
- Aim to eat foods that are high in iron along with foods high in vitamin C (which helps the body absorb iron)[10]
- Avoid foods that are high in fat (which can hinder iron absorption[11] and interfere with certain tests)[12]
- Abstain from alcohol and marijuana for around twenty-four hours before your donation, and abstain from tobacco products for two or more hours before your donation[13]
- Wear loose fitting clothing that allows easy access to your arm
- Bring a valid form of government issued ID
During your appointment[14]
- You will be asked to complete a more extensive questionnaire the day of your donation
- Ask the staff any questions you may have, and inform them of any allergies or health conditions that may impact your donation
- Sit back while the donation process takes place
- Tell the staff if you start to feel unwell
After your appointment[15]
- Get up from your seat somewhat slowly to make sure you don’t feel lightheaded
- Relax in the observation area for around 10-15 minutes for monitoring
- Enjoy a snack and some water/juice
- Avoid strenuous activities for a day or two
[2] Canadian Blood Services needs donors now
[3] Dealing with needle pain and fear – CIHR
[4] Bruising and arm pain – NHS
[5] Say Goodbye to Fainting When Donating | Red Cross
[6] Is donating blood or plasma safe?
[7] Myth: You Don’t Need My Common Blood Type | Carter
[8] The Donation process at Canadian Blood Services
[10] Iron-Rich Food | List of Meats And Vegetables | Red Cross
[11] Know Before You Go — Stanford Center
[12] Health & Nutrition – Grifols
[13] Five Things NOT TO Do Before Donating | Vitalant