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Why Donate?

ABOUT
BLOOD

About Blood

Blood means and includes whole human blood drawn from a donor & mixed with an anti-coagulant. At our blood centre, we draw 350ml of blood from donor. This is done in 30-45 minutes with minimum inconvenience to the donor.

Blood Types

The major types are O, A, B and AB. For a blood donation to be helpful to a patient, there has to be an appropriate match between the blood type of the donor and that of the recipient.

The Blood Donation Process


A single donor can save lives of three patients.

1.COLLECTION
2.TESTING
3.COMPONENT PREPARATION
4.SEPARATION
5.STORAGE

BLOOD COMPONENTS

Blood has four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. At Somaiya, we specialise in the storing:

  • Packed RBC
  • Random Donor Platelet
  • Fresh Frozen Plasma
  • Single Donor Platelets
  • Whole Blood

WHY DONATE BLOOD?

Impressive health benefits of donating blood.

Myths vs Facts


MYTHDonating blood makes me feel low.

FACT

False. This isn’t true. After donation blood ,the body work to replenish the blood loss. This stimulates the production of new blood cells & in turn helps in maintaining good health.

MYTHOne is advised to take complete rest for a day after donating blood.

FACT

False. One can easily resume his or her normal day-to-day routine after donating blood.

MYTHBlood donation is a painful procedure.

FACT

False. Donating blood is not painful at all. One only feels a slight pinching sensation when the needle pricks the arms.

MYTHI should not donate blood frequently it will make my body weak.

FACT

False. A healthy person can donate blood four times a year with a minimum a 3 months gap between each blood donation.

MYTHCan donating blood make me feel stressed with episodes of severe headache and vomiting?

FACT

No, blood donation can not cause episodes of headache and vomiting if the blood pressure of the donor is within normal limits prior to donation.

MYTHI should not donate blood frequently; it will lower my body’s immunity level.

FACT

No, your body’s immunity level is not affected by blood donation.

MYTHDonating blood frequently can fluctuate my blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

FACT

No, the blood pressure and blood sugar levels do not fluctuate provided the pre-donation values are within normal limits. A diabetic patient on insulin cannot donate blood.

MYTHCan donating blood at frequent intervals make my body iron deficient?

FACT

No, a healthy individual with good eating habits can donate blood four times a year with a gap of three months. It doesn’t make anybody iron deficient.

MYTHBlood donation takes a lot of time.

FACT

False. The whole procedure of blood donation from the time of registration takes approximately half an hour.

MYTHI am a retired person; I think I am too old to donate blood.

FACT

Yes, a person above 65 years and below 18 years cannot donate blood.

MYTHI can not donate blood when I am fasting.

FACT

Yes, one should have had a good meal at least four hours before donation.

MYTHCan frequent visits to the hospital for donating blood cause some infection?

FACT

No, there is no fear of infection due to blood donation.

MYTHYou cannot be a blood donor if you are on any kind of medication.

FACT

Yes, a person on aspirin, antibiotics, anti-hypertensive, steroids, hormones, anticoagulants, on inhalers cannot donate blood.

MYTHA diabetic person can not donate blood.

FACT

Yes, diabetics on insulin are advised not to donate blood.

MYTHCan a pregnant lady donate blood?

FACT

No, pregnant women are not allowed to donate blood.

MYTHCan I donate blood, if I am nursing my baby/breastfeeding?

FACT

No, nursing mothers should not donate blood for at least six weeks after giving birth because donating blood affects the fluid level in the body and may also affect the milk supply.

MYTHCan I donate blood, if have consumed alcohol a day before?

FACT

No, it is not advisable to consume alcohol a day before donating blood.

MYTHCan I donate blood, if I smoke regularly?

FACT

Yes, but abstain from smoking one hour before and after donation.

MYTH

Regular blood donation may lead to obesity.

FACT

False. Donating blood does not affect your body weight. However some people, after blood donation, eat more food than normal and avoid exercise which may cause weight gain but it is not directly connected to blood donation.