Blood

Give blood and save up to 3 lives

? Do you have any questions?

We need a thousand donations per day

1000

Donations scheduled for the next days:

  1. Donations today 648
  2. Donations tomorrow 181
  3. Donations the day after tomorrow 447

Stories of our recipients

Why is it important to donate blood?

4 reasons to donate blood

  1. Blood cannot be manufactured

    The only way to obtain blood is through the altruistic donations of generous individuals.

  2. The need is constant

    Every day, between 800 and 1,000 people need blood in Catalonia. Furthermore, blood expires, so regular donations are needed to maintain the reserves.

  3. It is a vital resource for many people

    It is estimated that 1 in every 5 people will need blood or blood components during their lifetime.

  4. You help others and yourself

    When you donate blood, you are not only contributing to saving lives, but you also feel good because you are part of a solidarity cause.

Can I donate?

Discover the requirements and key steps to become a blood donor.

You must weigh more than 50 kg and be between 18 and 70 years old.
You must not be fasting.
You can donate even if you have had hepatitis before the age of 12.
You can donate even if you take some of the most common medications.
If you are a woman, you can donate 3 times a year.
If you are a man, you can donate 4 times a year.
A minimum of 2 months must pass between blood donations.

You have made a donation and want to know when you can donate again?

  What do you want to donate?
  Blood Plasma
What have you donated? Blood 2 months 1 month
Plasma 15 days 15 days

These are the steps to donate

Before donating Read more

  • Drink plenty of liquids, especially when it's hot, during the 24 hours before.
  • Avoid intense exercise in the 3-4 hours prior.
  • Preferably eat something salty in the 3-4 hours before.
  • Drink 3 large glasses of water in the 3-4 hours before.

In the meal before donation:

  • Avoid eating a lot of fats, such as fried food or heavy meals
  • Avoid sugary drinks or commercial fruit juices
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Avoid consuming ice cream and foods with a high sugar content

Fats can be carried by blood, and if consumed in excess, your donation may not be able to be used.

These are the steps to donate

  1. Make an appointment
    Through the Blood and Tissue Bank website, you can make an appointment to donate blood. Once requested, there will be a record of the day, time, and location for donation.
  2. Identification
    Remember that you always need to bring an official identification document (ID card, NIE, passport, or driving license) to donate.
  3. The pre-donation questionnaire
    You will need to fill out a questionnaire about your health and lifestyle habits.
    To manage your data and extract your blood, we will always need your consent, in a confidential manner and in compliance with the regulations.
  4. The medical interview
    A medical interview will be conducted, and measures such as blood pressure and haemoglobin levels will be taken.
    To ensure that the donation will be safe for you and the person who will receive your blood, we will rely on the results to determine if you can donate or not.

During the donation Read more

  • If you feel dizzy, stay calm. Do not strain to stay standing, lay down on the ground with your legs up to promote circulation.
  • Keep in mind that you can change your mind at any time.
  • You can ask as many questions as you want to the professional assisting you.
  • The extraction lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, the time needed to donate about 450 ml of blood and save up to three lives.

After donating Read more

  • Do not remove the bandage until, at a minimum, 2 hours later.
  • Do not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke during the following 2 hours.
  • Do not make significant physical efforts, especially with the punctured arm, during the next 24 hours.
  • Drink plenty of liquids during the next 24-48 hours.
  • Avoid very warm places, it's better if they are well-ventilated and cool areas.
  • Do not stand for long periods. Avoid queues or standing on public transport in the next 6 hours.

Would you like to know more about blood?

Blood Compatibility and Blood Groups

To carry out a blood transfusion, it is essential to know the compatibility between blood groups.

The Vein-to-Vein model of the Blood and Tissue Bank

We are present throughout the process, from donation to transfusion.

More information about The Vein-to-Vein model of the Blood and Tissue Bank

Special donations

They are used to help patients with very specific needs, which is why donors with specific characteristics are needed.

More information about Special donations

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