Donor FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Donation

1. Why Is Voluntary Blood Donation Encouraged?

Voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors are the foundation of a safe and adequate blood supply. Regular voluntary donors help blood centres maintain a reliable supply of blood and blood components for patients requiring transfusion.

Voluntary donors are encouraged because they donate without financial or other incentives and are generally motivated by the desire to help patients in need.

2. Why Can't One Donate Blood Before 18 Years?

In India, a person must generally be 18 years or older to donate blood. This is based on the eligibility requirements applicable to blood donation in India.

Donors must also satisfy other eligibility criteria, including appropriate weight, haemoglobin level and overall health.

3. Why Is an Interval Required Between Two Blood Donations?

The body replaces the fluid component of donated blood relatively quickly, while replacement of red blood cells and restoration of iron stores takes longer.

Therefore, a minimum interval between whole-blood donations is required to protect the health of the donor. The exact interval depends on the applicable Indian regulations/guidelines and the donor's circumstances.

Your blood centre will advise you about when you are eligible to donate again.

4. Can One Contract HIV or Hepatitis by Donating Blood?

No. A person cannot contract HIV, hepatitis or another blood-borne infection through the act of donating blood when the donation is performed using sterile, single-use, disposable blood-collection equipment.

The equipment used for blood collection is sterile and intended for one-time use.

5. How Long Can Blood Be Preserved in a Blood Bank?

The storage life of blood depends on the blood component, anticoagulant-preservative solution and blood bag system used.

For example, whole blood/red blood cells may generally have a storage period of 35 or 42 days, depending on the approved blood-bag system and storage conditions.

Different components have different storage periods. Platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate require different storage conditions and have different expiry periods.

6. Does One Feel Weak After Donating Blood?

Most healthy eligible donors tolerate blood donation well and can return to their normal activities after a short period of rest.

Some donors may experience temporary symptoms such as light-headedness, dizziness, sweating or weakness. Drinking fluids, having refreshments and following the post-donation instructions provided by the blood centre can help.

Donors should avoid strenuous physical activity immediately after donation and follow the advice of the blood-centre staff.

7. What Tests Are Performed Before Blood Donation?

Before donation, the donor undergoes a donor-selection and health assessment to determine whether it is safe for them to donate.

This may include:

Medical history and donor questionnaire
Weight assessment
Haemoglobin estimation
Blood pressure measurement
Pulse assessment
Temperature assessment
General health assessment
Assessment of eligibility and risk factors

The purpose is to protect both the donor and the recipient.

8. What Laboratory Tests Are Performed on Donated Blood?

Every donated blood unit undergoes mandatory testing according to applicable regulations and blood-transfusion guidelines.

Testing generally includes:

ABO and Rh blood grouping
HIV
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Syphilis
Malaria

Additional testing, such as antibody screening, may be performed according to applicable requirements and the intended use of the blood/component.

All blood units are released for transfusion only after the required testing and quality procedures have been completed.

9. Why Are These Laboratory Tests Not Performed Before Donation?

Tests for transfusion-transmissible infections require laboratory processing and appropriate testing procedures and cannot be replaced simply by a donor's medical history or physical examination.

Donor screening before donation helps identify individuals who should not donate, while laboratory testing of every donated unit provides an additional essential layer of safety before the blood is made available for transfusion.

10. Why Do Blood Banks Avoid Directed Donations From Relatives?

Blood donation should generally be based on voluntary donation rather than pressure from family members.

In addition, blood from relatives is not necessarily safer than blood from unrelated voluntary donors. Family members may sometimes feel pressure to donate or may be reluctant to disclose personal or medical risk information because of the presence of relatives.

There are also specific concerns with blood donations from biological relatives, particularly in certain transfusion settings, because of the risk of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). Where indicated, blood from a biological relative may require special processing such as irradiation.

Therefore, hospitals and blood centres generally follow established transfusion policies rather than relying on directed donations from relatives.

Every donation can be someone's second chance at life.

🩸 Donate Blood. Save Lives. Inspire Hope.

At Parakh Voluntary Blood Centre, we encourage healthy, eligible individuals to become regular voluntary blood donors and help maintain a safe and adequate blood supply for patients in need.