Giving blood is giving life

Find out how, why, and where to give.

What is blood donation?

Blood donation involves donating a small amount of your blood to a Blood Transfusion Service. In Ireland, the organisation that handles all blood donations is known as the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS).

If you are aged between 18-65 and are generally healthy, you may be eligible to donate blood. When you donate blood, it is screened for viruses and toxins. If your blood is considered safe, it is then transported to hospital blood banks.

Why donate?

You could literally save a life. Blood transfusions are life saving procedures.

Your blood type may be in demand. It’s harder for hospitals to source rare blood types. O positive and A positive are the most common blood types in Ireland and AB negative is the least common.

It’s FREE. It doesn’t cost anything to donate blood.

It’s a way of paying it forward. Some people who have benefited from blood donation like to give back to others.

It’s rewarding. Many people feel personally satisfied after donating blood.

Free juice and biscuits! Enough said.

Who can donate?

You can donate blood if:

You weigh more than 50 kilograms (7 stone, 12 lbs).

You are in good health and not sick at the time of donation.

You are aged over 18.

Your iron levels are good. The staff at the clinic will test your iron and will defer you if your iron is not high enough.

Click here to take the IBTS blood donation eligibility quiz to see if you can donate today.

Who can’t donate?

People who have lived or travelled in the UK for a year or more between 1980–1996. This is due to the risk of VCJD, AKA ‘Mad Cow’ disease.

Former or current IV drug users.

People under the age of 18.

People with low iron levels/anaemia.

People who have been ill with colds or flu’s recently.

Women who are pregnant or who have been pregnant over the past twelve months.

Click here for more information on donation criteria.

What happens at the Blood Donation Clinic?

When you arrive at the clinic, you will be asked to register with the IBTS. This involves giving the IBTS your name, address, date of birth and phone number.

A doctor or nurse will ask you about your general health, any medicines you are taking and about your sexual and travel history. You will also be asked if you have ever had blood transfusions done.

You will then fill in a Health and Lifestyle questionnaire. It is important to note that ALL information given to the IBTS is considered confidential.

The doctor or nurse will perform a quick test of your blood to check your iron level. If your iron level is too low, you will not be allowed to donate blood. You may also be asked to contact your doctor for further testing and treatment of anaemia.

You will need to give consent for your blood to be tested for HIV, AIDS and other infections.

You will then be brought to one of the donation beds.

A nurse will insert a needle attached to a blood bag into your arm. The blood will then flow out of the needle into the bag. The bag is kept out of sight, so that you don’t feel ill looking at the blood.

A nurse or doctor will keep an eye on you throughout the donation. You should let them know if you feel pain or are unwell in any way.

The bag will take 8-15 minutes to fill up.

One the bag is filled; a nurse will remove the needle and put a dressing on your arm.

You will be asked to put pressure on the arm for 2-3 minutes.

You will need to rest for a while before going to the canteen. At the canteen you will get a drink and light refreshments.

The IBTS recommends that you remain in the clinic for at least 15 minutes after your donation.

If you feel faint or unwell once you leave the clinic, you should sit or lie down and place your head between your knees. You should rest for 30 minutes. If you still do not feel well after this, call the National Blood Centre on 01 432800 or the Munster Regional Transfusion Service on 021 4807400. These lines are manned by qualified doctors 24 hours a day.

Tips for donors