Voluntary Blood Donation

Are blood donors paid?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

No. Blood collected for transfusion in this country is given by altruistic

volunteer blood donors.

Are the health history questions necessary everytime I donate?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

To ensure the safest possible blood supply, all donors must be all the screening
questions at each donation. The DOH requires blood centers conform to this
practice.

Can I get AIDS from donating blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

No. There is no risk of contracting AIDS or any other disease through the donation
process. Each collection kit is sterile, pre-packaged and used only once.

Can I still donate if I have high blood pressure?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Yes, if your blood pressure is under control and within the limits set in the
donation guidelines.

Can a donor work after donating blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Of course! Routine work is absolutely fine after the initial rest. Rigorous
physical work should be avoided for a few hours.

Do I have enough blood in my body to donate?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Yes. The body contains 10 to 12 pints (5 to 6 liters) of blood. Your whole blood
donation approximately one pint or equivalent to 450 to 500 milliliters.

Does donated blood stay on the shelf indefinitely until it is used?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

No. Each unit of whole blood normally is separated into several components. Red
blood cells may be stored under refrigeration for a maximum of 42 days depending on
the anti-coagulant-preservative or additive used in the blood bag, or they may be
frozen for up to 10 years.Red cells carry oxygen and are used to treat anemia.
Platelets are important in the control of bleeding and are generally used in
patients with leukemia and other forms of cancer. Platelets are stored at room
temeperature and may be kept for a maximum of five days. Fresh frozen plasma, used
to control bleeding due to low levels of some clotting factors, is made from fresh
plasma and may be stored frozen up to one year. Granulocytes are sometimes are used
to fight infections, although their efficacy is not well established. They must be
transfused within 24 hours of donation.

Other products manufactured from blood include albumin, immune globulin, specific
immune globulins, and clotting factor concentrates.Commercial manufacturers
commonly produce these blood products.

Does the donor need to rest after donating blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Yes. The donor needs rest, preferably lying down, so that the amount of blood that
has been donated soon gets poured into the circulation from the body pools in a
natural way. The donor should take it easy for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Does the donor suffer from any harmful effects after donating blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Absolutely not, rather a donor after having given blood voluntarily gets a feeling
of great pleasure, peace and bliss. Soon, within a period of 24 to 48 hours, the
same amount of new blood gets formed in the body, which helps the donor in many
ways. His own body resistance improves, the circulation improves, and he himself
feels healthier than before.

How badly is blood needed?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Blood supplies can vary depending on the region and time of year. As donor
qualifications continue to become stricter and as the donor population ages, our
nation is at risk of a low blood supply. If you are eligible, your blood donations
are needed.

How can I increase my iron level?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Donors may be deferred from donating due to a low hematocrit (iron) level. This
restriction is for the safety of the donor and ensures that after donation, the
donor's hematocrit level will still be within the normal range for a health adult.
Since hematocrit levels can fluctuate daily, a deferral for a low hematocrit level
does not mean a donor is anemic. A donor may help increase his or her hematocrit
levels by eating foods high in iron such as red meat, dark green vegetables and
raisins or by taking a multivitamin that contains iron.

How long until my blood is used?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Most blood donations are processed and available for use within 48 hours. The
reason for this is because each blood samples collected from donors will have to be
tested for 4 markers of infectious diseases (HIV 1/2, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C,
Syphilis and Malaria) Blood grouping and Rh typing will also have to be determined
to complete the testing.

How long will the actual donation process take?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

The actual donation takes about 5 to 10 minutes. The entire donation process, from
registration to post-donation refreshments, takes about one hour.

How much blood is taken?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

For a whole blood donation, approximately one pint (which weighs about one pound)
is collected. This is also equivalent to about 450 to 500 milliliters. For a
platelet donation, the amount collected depends on your height, weight and platelet
count if collected through Apheresis or about 50 to 70 milliliters for random donor
platelet concentrate.

How much time does it take for my body to replace the blood I donated?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Not long at all. The volume of fluids will adjust within a few hours of your
donation. The red blood cells will be replaced within a few weeks.

How often can a person donate blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

The minimum interval between 2 donations is 12 weeks (3 months). This interval

allows our body Val allows our body to restore it iron stock. Platelet (aphaeresis)
donors may donate more frequently than - as often as once every two weeks and up to
24 times per year. This is because the body replenishes platelets and plasma more
quickly than red cells. Platelets will return to normal levels.
How will I feel after I donate?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Most people feel great after giving blood. If you feel any abnormal symptoms, let a
staff member at the blood center or blood drive know. You should avoid lifting
heavy objector strenuous exercise for the next 24 hours; otherwise you can resume
full activity as long as you feel well.

If I have a cold or the flu, can I donate blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

In order to donate, blood centers require that you be in generally good health
(symptom-free) and recommend that you are feeling well.

If I just received a flu shot, can I donate blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Yes. There is no waiting period to donate after receiving a flu shot.

If I was deferred once before,am I still ineligible to donate?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

If your deferral is of a premature nature, you will be informed. Otherwise, the

deferral time depends upon the reason for deferral. Prior to each donation, you
will be given a mini-physical and medical interview. At that time, it will be
determined if you are eligible to donate blood on that particular day.

In which situations do people generally donate blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

There are three types of blood donors:

1. PROFESSIONAL/PAID DONORS

They sell their blood, which is of very poor quality and can transmit very
dangerous diseases to the recipient. It is illegal to take blood from any
professional or paid donor.

2. REPLACEMENT DONATION

Healthy relatives and friends of the patient give their blood, of any group, to the
blood bank. In exchange, the required number of units in the required blood group
is given.

3. VOLUNTARY DONATION
Here, a donor donates blood voluntarily. The blood can be used for any patient even
without divulging the identity of the donor. This is the best type of blood
donation where a motivated human being gives blood in an act of selfless service.

Is there anything I should do before I donate?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Be sure to eat well at your regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids.

Is there such thing as artificial blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Scientists have yet to find a successful substitute for human blood. This is why
blood donors are so vital to the lives of those who are in need of blood.

What are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

There are certain conditions that prevent a person from donating blood temporarily
or permanently. Among the temporary conditions are:

Pregnancy
Acute fever
Recent alcoholic intake
Ear or body piercing and tattooing
Surgery
Persons with the following conditions are not allowed to donate blood anyime:

Cancer
Cardiac disease
Sever lung disease
Hepatitis B and C
HIV infection, AIDS or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
High risk occupation (e.g. prostitution)
Unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kg over 6 months
Chronic alcoholism
Other conditions or disease stated in the Guide to Medical Assessment of Blood
Donors.

What are the steps in blood donation?

Name of Office:

National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

A. Before blood donation

You will be asked to fill up a Donor's Form upon arrival at the blood collection
site.
Questions regarding your health history wil be asked by a trained professional
staff.
Pre-donation educationand counselling will be given by a trained professional
staff.
Your weight, blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature will be checked.
You will be examined by a physician.
Small sample of blood will be taken to check your blood type and hemoglobin level.
Screening and selection procedure will usually take about 10 to 15 minutes. You
are encouraged to give accurate data for your own safety and that of the recipient.
All information gathered wil be treated with utmost confidentiality.

B. During Blood Donation

You will be asked to lie down on the blood donor's couch for blood collection which
will be done by a skilled phlebotomist.
The amount of blood which will be taken and will be determined by a physician. It
will depend mainly on your body weight and does not exceed 450 ml.
This will take another 10 to 15 minutes.
C. After Blood Donation

You will be advised to rest for 10 more minutes.

Beverage and simple snacks will be served.
Post-donation education and counselling will be given by a trained professional
staff.
You will be advised to drink more fluids.
The volume of fluids taken is completely replaced by the body within 3 to 5 hours.

What can you do if you aren't eligible to donate?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

While a given individual may be unable to donate, he or she may be able to recruit
a suitable donor. The Blood Center is always in need of volunteers to assist at
blood draws or to organize mobile blood drives. In addition, volunteer works are
always welcome help the blood center ensure the continuous supply of safe blood to
those in need.

What does the term "donor deferral" mean?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Individuals disqualified from donating blood are known as "deferred" donors. A

prospective donor may be deferred at any point during the collection and testing
process. Whether or not a person is deferred temporarily or permanently will depend
on the specific reason for disqualification (e.g. a person may be deferred
temporarily because of anemia, a condition that is usually reversible). If a person
is to be deferred, his or her name is entered into a list of deferred donors
maintained by the blood center, often known as the "deferral registry."If a
deferred donor attempts to give blood before the end of the deferral period, the
donor will nt be accepted for donation. Once the reason for the deferral no longer
exists and the temporary deferral period has lapsed, the donor may return to the
blood and be re-entered into the system.

Those who may be deferred include:

 Anyone who has ever used intravenous drugs (illegal IV drugs)
Men who have had sexual contact with other men
Anyone who has ever received clotting factor concentrates
Anyone with a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus)
Men and woman who have engaged in sex for money or drugs
Anyone who has had hepatitis
Anyone who has taken Tegison for psoriasis
Anyone who has risk factors for vCJD
What fees are associated with blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

While donated blood is free, there are significant costs associated with
collecting, testing, preparing components, labeling, storing and shipping;
recruiting and educating donors; and quality assurance. As a result, processing
fees are charged to recover costs. Processing fees for individual blood components
vary considerably. The following are acceptable maximum allowable processing fee
for blood/components:Whole blood: Php 1,500.00; Pack Red Cells: Php 1,100.00; Fresh
FrozenPlasma: Php 700.00; Cryopprecipitate: Php 700.00; and Cryosupernate:Php
700.00. (AO 181 s. 2002). Hospitals charge for any additional testing that may be
required, such as the crossmatch, as well as for the administration of the blood.

What if I have anemia?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

You cannot give blood if you have anemia. However, this can often be a temporary
condition. Your hemoglobin will be tested before you donate to make it is at an
acceptable level.

What if I'm taking aspirin or medication prescribed by my doctor?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Aspirin and Ibuprofen will not affect a whole blood donation. Apheresis platelet
donors, however, must not take aspirin or aspirin products 36 hours prior to
donation. Many other medication are acceptable. It is recommended that you call the
Philippine Blood Center ahead of time to inquire about any medication you are
taking.

What is the most common blood type?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

The most common blood type is Blood Group O followed by A, then B and AB. More than
99% of Filipinos are Rh positive while less than 1% has Rh negative blood.

What types of tests are performed on donated blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

After blood is drawn, it is tested for ABO group (blood type) and RH type (positive
or negative). Test for unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems
for the recipient can be performed upon the request of the patient's attending
physician. Screening tests performed are listed below:

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)

Hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV)/ antigen (HCV Ag)
HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody (anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2) antigen (HIV-1 and HIV-2 Ag)
Serologic test for syphilis
Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) for HIV-1, HCV and HBV if available

Where can I donate?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Share your blood at the following:

> Blood Service Facilities (BSF)

Philippine Blood Center

DOH Hospital (BSF)
PRC (BSF)
LGUs / NGOs (BSF)
> During various mobile blood donation activities

Community
Participating government organizations
Private Kabalikat agencies
Schools / Universities

Who can donate?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Basic requirement of a potential blood donor:

Weight: At least 110 lbs (50 kg).

Blood volume collected will depend mainly on you body weight.
Pulse rate: Between 60 and 100 beats/minute with regular rhythm.
Blood pressure: Between 90 and 160 systolic and 60 and 100 diastolic.
Hemoglobin: At least 125 g/L.

Who receives blood?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

From a single blood donation, there are 3 main components that can be derived. Each
component will be used for specific patient need. The people who can benefit from
your donated blood are:

Patients suffering from severe blood loss.

Leukemia patients.

Hemophilia patients.

Mothers giving birth with complication.

 Major trauma patients.

Transplant patients, etc.

Why are there often blood shortages?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

Most blood centers strive to maintain an optimum inventory level of a three day
supply. Due to unpredictable demands from trauma incidents, the inventory
fluctuates hourly. When the blood supply drops below a three day level, the blood
center starts alerting local donors to increase the inventory to a saef operating
level.

Will donating blood hurt?

Name of Office: National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP)

You may feel a slight sting in the beginning, lasting only a couple of seconds, but
there should be no discomfort during the donation.