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Everything you need to know to donate safely, recover quickly, and make the biggest impact.
Prepare your body to ensure a smooth donation and quick recovery.
Eat a healthy meal
Have a nutritious meal 2–3 hours before donating. Avoid fatty foods as they can affect blood tests.
Stay well hydrated
Drink an extra 500 ml of water before your appointment. Good hydration makes the process easier and safer.
Sleep well
Get at least 7–8 hours of sleep the night before. Fatigue can cause dizziness during or after donation.
Avoid alcohol
Abstain from alcohol for at least 24 hours before donating. Alcohol dehydrates you and affects blood quality.
Wear comfortable clothing
Wear a short-sleeve shirt or clothing with sleeves that roll up easily for quick access to your arm.
Bring valid ID
Carry a valid national ID card or donor registration card if you have one.
Stay calm and communicate with the medical team throughout the process.
Stay calm and relaxed
Anxiety can raise blood pressure. Take slow, deep breaths and focus on something positive.
Inform staff of concerns
Tell the medical staff if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or unwell at any point during the process.
Keep your arm still
Avoid moving or tensing your arm during donation. Staying still ensures a smooth and faster process.
Squeeze the stress ball
Gently squeezing a stress ball during donation helps maintain blood flow and speeds up the process.
Give your body the care it needs to recover fully within 24 hours.
Rest for 10–15 minutes
Sit or lie down at the donation site for at least 10 minutes before leaving to avoid dizziness.
Drink fluids
Drink extra water, juice, or electrolyte drinks for the next 24 hours to replace lost fluids.
Eat a snack
Have a small snack like biscuits or fruit juice immediately after donation to restore blood sugar.
Avoid heavy lifting
Do not lift heavy objects with the donation arm for 5 hours after giving blood.
Skip intense exercise
Avoid vigorous exercise or strenuous physical activity for the rest of the day.
Keep the bandage on
Leave the bandage on for at least 4 hours. If the site bleeds, apply firm pressure and raise your arm.
Basic criteria that must be met before donating blood.
Know which blood groups can give to and receive from each other.
| Blood Group | Can Donate To | Can Receive From |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | A+AB+ | A+A−O+O− |
| A− | A+A−AB+AB− | A−O− |
| B+ | B+AB+ | B+B−O+O− |
| B− | B+B−AB+AB− | B−O− |
| AB+ | AB+ | All groups |
| AB− | AB+AB− | AB−A−B−O− |
| O+ | A+B+O+AB+ | O+O− |
| O− | All groups | O− |
O− is the universal donor. AB+ is the universal recipient.
Register as a donor today. One donation can save up to three lives.