Blood
Give blood and save up to 3 lives
We need a thousand donations per day
1000Donations scheduled for the next days:
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Donations today 319
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Donations tomorrow 143
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Donations the day after tomorrow 506
Stories of our recipients
Why is it important to donate blood?
4 reasons to donate blood
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Blood cannot be manufactured
The only way to obtain blood is through the altruistic donations of generous individuals.
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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.
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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.
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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.
If you are a woman, you can donate 3 times a year.
If you are a man, you can donate 4 times a year.
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
- 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
- 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. - Identification
Remember that you always need to bring an official identification document (ID card, NIE, passport, or driving license) to donate. - 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. - 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
- 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
- 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 BankSpecial 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