You can see your blood type on your donor card, or simply ask next time you give blood. There are 23 platelet donor centres in England. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Blood transfusions are common and very safe procedures. Most people aged 17-65 can donate. Advice about giving platelets. Updated: 15 October 2020. At the moment in the UK men can give blood every 12 weeks, and women every 16 weeks. Give blood. The donation process. A sample of your blood will also be taken to check your blood group. Return to search. It's also important to tell your doctor straight away if you take warfarin and have tested positive for coronavirus or have coronavirus symptoms. We have 23 fixed blood donation centres and 50 mobile blood collection teams running about 23,000 blood collection sessions a year in communities across England. How often we'll ask you to donate will depend on hospital demand for your blood type and platelet count. Find your nearest centre. We rely entirely on voluntary donors to maintain supplies to Welsh hospitals. Help us inspire more donors. When taking warfarin, you need to have regular blood tests. NHS Blood and Transplant advise that female donors can donate blood every 16 weeks and male donors every 12 weeks. Now for the first time I weigh enough and am outside the exclusion period of piercings, travel etc so I am doing my first donation. The actual donation of blood takes just 8-10 minutes, but this can vary depending on factors such as your medical history, and you need to allow time for the screening beforehand and for at least 15 minutes of relaxation while you have a drink and snack (which will be provided) afterwards. a problem with your heart, lungs or immune system (the body's defence against illness and infection), lower your risk of bleeding, such as tranexamic acid, boost your number of red blood cells, such as iron tablets or injections. The majority of the British population is able to donate blood, says the NHS. The medicine is absorbed into your body very quickly this way, so it can be used for fast relief of chest pain caused by angina. We keep a close eye on you while you donate. Platelet donors can donate more frequently than blood donors – multiple times per year. Giving blood saves lives. This will assist in ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply. You must use a unique email address that can … 1 / 1. NHS Blood and Transplant on 0300 123 23 23. More about donating plasma Become an organ donor . We will discuss with you after your first donation how often you can give. This may be because your body's not making enough red blood cells or because you have lost blood. We are the organ donor organisation for the UK and are responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. Page last reviewed: 12 January 2018 You can normally go home soon after, unless you're seriously unwell or needed a lot of blood. This is usually treated with paracetamol or by slowing down the transfusion. Please keep donating. Speak to a member of staff at your next blood donation, who will be happy to chat you through the next steps. Donate blood, organs, platelets, stem cells, tissue or cord blood. This winter, we are facing extra challenges to provide hospitals with the blood, plasma and platelets they need. Each donation is a precious gift that can save or improve the lives of up to three adults or six infants. Just one blood donation can save or improve the lives of up to three people ... You can see your blood type on your donor card, or simply ask next time you give blood. There's a very small risk of complications, such as: The risks will be explained before having a transfusion, unless this is not possible – for example, if you need an emergency transfusion. You can donate blood either sitting or lying down. How often we'll ask you to donate will depend on hospital demand for your blood type and platelet count. Speak to your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns. To book an appointment, make an enquiry, sign up as a blood donor or let us know you've become ill after giving blood, call: 0345 90 90 999 Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm. You can donate blood either sitting or lying down. By Natasha Meek @journomeek Reporter. To find out when we're in your area next, go to the homepage and search on your town or postcode. It's a good idea to learn how to take your GTN tablets and spray as soon as you get them. a type of cancer or cancer treatment that can affect blood cells – including leukaemia, severe bleeding – usually from surgery, childbirth or a serious accident. Where can you donate. How to donate blood with coronavirus antibodies to the NHS . Your doctor may give you GTN tablets as well. What about people with rare blood types? A sterile needle will then be inserted. If he donated that often it was probably donating platelets by apherisis http://platelets.blood.co.uk/. To donate blood you must meet the following criteria to ensure that your blood is suitable for our research: Aged between 18-50, fit and healthy with normal blood pressure and heart rate and weigh more than 50kg. A blood transfusion is when you're given blood from someone else (a donor). Power Red (double red cell donation) takes approximately 30 minutes longer than a As Lynne Moulder, of NHS Blood and Transplant, explains: ‘There is a need for more donors of different ethnic backgrounds, especially those of black and Asian heritage, to come forward.’ (There is a campaign underway to encourage more donors, not just of platelets but of blood and organs too.) You must not have any medical problems like asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, anaemia. Your arm or hand may ache and have a bruise for a few days after. View, change or cancel appointments. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. This means at least four donations during a two-year period. NB: This vacancy closed to applications on 16/12/2020. How often can people safely donate blood? You can only donate whole blood as often as you state in your question in England regardless of blood type although the Welsh blood service and Scottish blood service may have slightly different policies it won’t differ substantial.