Tips For a Good Donation
As a blood donor, there are certain steps you can take to help make your donation experience as safe, successful and pleasant as possible. Here are a few recommendations.
Before Your Donation:
Get a good night's sleep.
Eat a good breakfast or lunch.
Drink extra water and fluids to replace the volume you will donate, but avoid caffeinated beverages.
Eat iron-rich foods to boost your iron level.
Avoid fatty foods. Tests for infections done on donated products can be affected by fatty materials.
If you are an automated donor, get plenty of calcium-rich foods and drinks for a few days prior to your donation.
If you are a platelet donor, remember that your system must be free of aspirin for two days prior to donation.
During Your Donation:
Let the phlebotomist know if you have a preferred arm.
Relax and think about the people you are helping.
After Your Donation:
Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours to replenish what you lost during donation.
Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for several hours.
If you feel light-headed, lie down with your feet up.
If for any reason, something doesn't feel right, call the American Red Cross toll-free number provided to you after your donation.
Enjoy the feeling of knowing you helped save lives.