With your voluntary donation of only one pint/unit of blood, YOU may save as many as
three lives, since the blood could be separated into plasma, platelets and concentrated red cells.
Criteria to become a Blood Donor
- If you are 17 years or older (16 year olds, will need written parental consent).
- Weigh 110 pounds or more.
- Healthy – not infected or affected with a blood-borne disease
Simplicity of the Blood Donation Process
On the day YOU will be donating blood, the following will take place:
Step 1: Eat at least 1 ½ - 2 hours before you donate (eating before donation is optional).
First time donors are advised to drink 8 ozs. of water just before the process starts.
Step 2: You will have a mini-medical check, to know if you meet the criteria. Your HB (iron) level, blood pressure and blood group and type will be checked. (2 -3 mins.)
Step 3: If you have met the criteria in step 2, you will be interviewed to further determine if your health status permits you to be a donor. This session is very private and confidential. (10 – 12 mins.)
Step 4: The actual blood donation will take only 3-5 mins. or less.
Step 5: You will be asked to relax for a further 5 mins. and will be given refreshments.
Step 6: Avoid heavy muscular activities for the rest of the day and drink lots of non-alcoholic beverages.
Blood Bank Locations
National Blood Bank, Lamaha Street, Georgetown
8:00am-6:00pm
Mondays - Fridays
New Amsterdam Hospital
9:00am-3:30pm
Mondays - Fridays
West Demerara Hospital
9:00am-3:30pm
Mondays - Fridays
Suddie Hospital
9:00am-3:30pm
Mondays - Fridays
Blood Donation Drives
To arrange a blood drive, kindly contact:
National Blood Bank,
Donor Recruitment Unit,
Tel. 223-7182 or 225-4972
