Blood donation Who can use it?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.Originally Posted by Kim
On the day that you donate blood, you should drink plenty of liquid (but not alcohol), and you should eat normally.
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 until 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 questions about diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV (AIDS) and malaria. If you are unwell on the day, such as 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 six 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 until you have finished them and until you 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. Breastfeeding mothers can give blood provided they are not anaemic.
Hope this helps with some of your questions. I used to donate but now it appears to be easier to get blood out of a stone than my veins, they disappear as soon as a needle gets close
