Things You Should Know
About Donating Blood

BEFORE...
How do I get ready for my blood donation?

• • HYDRATE 

    • Drink plenty of water before the day of the donation 

    • On the day of the donation, drink at least 4 to 5 glasses of water half an hour before donating blood

  • EAT before donating; this is a blood donation NOT a blood test.  Your body will need the energy from the food you eat!

    • Maintain a healthy iron level before donating (eat foods such as green leafy vegetables, liver, etc.)

    • Avoid foods high in cholesterol, such as steamed rice with chicken, coconut milk, fried and sweet foods, etc. These foods make the color of plasma turn into a blurry, opaque white, which cannot be used.

  • SLEEP at least 6 hours the night before the donation

  • NO CAFFEINE. Avoid drinking coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages before the donation.

  • NO ALCOHOL 24 hours before the donation. 

  • CLOTHING - It is advised that a shirt that does not have tight sleeves and can fold up above the elbow be worn.

  • Refrain from smoking before and after donating blood for 1 hour so the lungs can produce good blood.

  • Bring a list of regular medications you are taking.  This is one thing the doctor will screen when you go through the mini physical checkup on the date of the donation. 

  • If you have donated before, bring your donation card to be filled out.

  • Relax!

DURING...
What can I expect?

STEP 1: Registration 

• • Check in with one of the RIS HS students

  • Fill out the blood donation application form 

  • Your personal information will be entered into the Thai Red Cross system
    
    STEP 2: Health History and Mini-Physical Checkup  

  • Meet with the doctor for a mini-physical checkup. You will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and places you have traveled.

  • Your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and blood count will be taken.  

  • Your health history and mini-physical checkup will help determine if you can donate blood or not.
    
    STEP 3: The Donation  

  • You will proceed to step 3 only if you have passed the first two steps.

  • Choose if you would like to have blood drawn from your left or right arm.  There will be beds available for both options. 

  • An area on your arm will be cleansed, and a brand-new sterile needle will be inserted for the blood draw. This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds. 

  • During the donation, donors will be asked to squeeze a rubber ball constantly to promote blood flow.  

  • The actual donation can take 10-20 minutes, during which you will be lying comfortably. 

  • You will be given iron tablets to ingest to help your body promote blood.

  • When approximately 450 mL (1 pint) of blood has been collected, the donation is complete, and a staff member will place a bandage on your arm. 

  • Do NOT get up immediately after the donation.

  • If you feel dizzy, faint, and/or nauseous during or after the donation, tell one of the nurses/volunteers immediately.
    
    STEP 4: Refreshments

  • After donating, you will be given something sweet (i.e., fruit juice) and a small snack. 

  • You can leave the site after 10-15 minutes and continue your normal daily activities.

  • Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you have helped save lives.

AFTER THE DONATION...
How do I take care of myself now that I have donated blood?

• • HYDRATE. You continue to drink water throughout the day of your donation.  It is advised that you drink more water than usual for one day. 

  • AVOID activities that require too much energy such as heavy lifting and/or heavy exercising.  Donors are advised to reduce the work use of the arm that was punctured for 12 hours after the donation. 

  • AVOID activities that involve extreme heat or exercise that produce a lot of sweat.

  • Avoid exerting too much for the rest of the day. 

  • EAT foods that are high in iron (such as red meat, beans, nuts).

  • Take the iron tablets that were given to you by the Thai Red Cross.

Accept our most sincere “Thank You!” 
Also, accept the thanks of people whose lives were changed by your blood donation.

For more information about the blood donation process, you can go to the following websites: