Blood Donor Day 2007
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13 June, 2007 08:00
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This years blood donor day is on June 14th 2007 and is an International campaign. Gibraltar will be holding a blood donor campaign the following day at the Piazza on June 15th 2007 from 10am - 3pm. Professionals will be on hand to answer your questions on the Gibraltar blood service and the local need for more donors. Information will be at hand regarding individuals who may wish to become blood donors. A Blood grouping test will also be performed on the day to find out your blood group. A campaign leaflet has been produced and will be available at the stand and at St. Bernard's & the PCC thereafter
In Gibraltar, we have always tried to be self-sufficient for our needs. For many years, the Gibraltar Blood Service has maintained a list of over a hundred voluntary blood donors, many of whom have been regularly giving blood. This has worked well, but is no longer sufficient. The sharp increase in services now provided in the new hospital means that demand for blood has grown - last year the hospital used around 800 units of blood, an increase of 33% in three years!
You have always depended upon us. We now seek your generosity. The precious gift of blood.
WHY DONATE BLOOD?
A blood donation truly is a “gift of life” that a healthy individual can give to others who are sick or injured in the community.
WHO CAN GIVE BLOOD?
If you are fit and healthy and aged 18-60 and weigh more than 50 kilos you are eligible to donate. Regular donors can keep giving blood, right until the age of 70. People aged 17 may donate if considered to have sufficient knowledge and understanding of what is involved to give their informed consent.
WILL I BE ASKED LOTS OF QUESTIONS?
Yes, we will be asking you a number of questions. Our primary concern is that giving blood won’t affect your health in any way. We also make sure that your blood is safe for other people. Current illnesses, even colds could affect your suitability, although usually this is just temporary. Unless there are good reasons, we will not turn people down. And of course all your details will be treated in the strictest confidence.
WILL DONATING BLOOD HURT?
Not more than having a blood test. You may feel a slight sting in the beginning lasting only a couple of seconds, but there should be no discomfort during the donation.
IS GIVING BLOOD SAFE?
Yes. Remember we will only accept you if you are fit and well. All the materials used, the needle, the blood bag used to collect blood, etc come in a sealed pack, are designed for single use and cannot be reused. We only take donations in the clean environment of the hospital, so the process is made as safe as possible.
HOW MUCH BLOOD WILL BE TAKEN?
The volume taken is approximately 450 ml. To give you an idea, this is less than 10 % of your total blood and your body replaces the lost fluid within 36 hours.
HOW OFTEN CAN I DONATE?
Up to Three times a year, which means a minimum of 16 weeks between donations.
CAN I BRING A FRIEND?
Please do. The more the merrier!
WHAT IF I TAKE MEDICATION?
You must tell us if you take any kind of medication - medicines, pills, injections, anything. Some of these may affect your blood and mean we may have to postpone the donation for now.
WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE AND AFTER GIVING BLOOD?
Drinks plenty of liquids before and after you donate- but not the alcoholic variety please! Eat your regular meals too.
CAN I GO BACK TO WORK ON THE SAME DAY?
Regrettably the answer is yes! However it would be unwise to give blood before undertaking physically demanding or hazardous activity either in a job or a hobby.
ARE BLOOD DONORS PAID?
No. We will not buy blood, as a matter of strict policy. Research shows that blood given voluntarily and freely tends to be least likely to have transfusion transmissible infections. Voluntary donors are also more likely to be honest in supplying information that could lead to the donation not being accepted.
Blood
Blood is precious. And unfortunately there is not enough of it. As opportunities for successful treatment of cancers, injuries, surgical problems and blood disorders increase, the demand for blood rises.In Gibraltar, we have always tried to be self-sufficient for our needs. For many years, the Gibraltar Blood Service has maintained a list of over a hundred voluntary blood donors, many of whom have been regularly giving blood. This has worked well, but is no longer sufficient. The sharp increase in services now provided in the new hospital means that demand for blood has grown - last year the hospital used around 800 units of blood, an increase of 33% in three years!
You have always depended upon us. We now seek your generosity. The precious gift of blood.
WHY DONATE BLOOD?
A blood donation truly is a “gift of life” that a healthy individual can give to others who are sick or injured in the community.
WHO CAN GIVE BLOOD?
If you are fit and healthy and aged 18-60 and weigh more than 50 kilos you are eligible to donate. Regular donors can keep giving blood, right until the age of 70. People aged 17 may donate if considered to have sufficient knowledge and understanding of what is involved to give their informed consent.
WILL I BE ASKED LOTS OF QUESTIONS?
Yes, we will be asking you a number of questions. Our primary concern is that giving blood won’t affect your health in any way. We also make sure that your blood is safe for other people. Current illnesses, even colds could affect your suitability, although usually this is just temporary. Unless there are good reasons, we will not turn people down. And of course all your details will be treated in the strictest confidence.
WILL DONATING BLOOD HURT?
Not more than having a blood test. You may feel a slight sting in the beginning lasting only a couple of seconds, but there should be no discomfort during the donation.
IS GIVING BLOOD SAFE?
Yes. Remember we will only accept you if you are fit and well. All the materials used, the needle, the blood bag used to collect blood, etc come in a sealed pack, are designed for single use and cannot be reused. We only take donations in the clean environment of the hospital, so the process is made as safe as possible.
HOW MUCH BLOOD WILL BE TAKEN?
The volume taken is approximately 450 ml. To give you an idea, this is less than 10 % of your total blood and your body replaces the lost fluid within 36 hours.
HOW OFTEN CAN I DONATE?
Up to Three times a year, which means a minimum of 16 weeks between donations.
CAN I BRING A FRIEND?
Please do. The more the merrier!
WHAT IF I TAKE MEDICATION?
You must tell us if you take any kind of medication - medicines, pills, injections, anything. Some of these may affect your blood and mean we may have to postpone the donation for now.
WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE AND AFTER GIVING BLOOD?
Drinks plenty of liquids before and after you donate- but not the alcoholic variety please! Eat your regular meals too.
CAN I GO BACK TO WORK ON THE SAME DAY?
Regrettably the answer is yes! However it would be unwise to give blood before undertaking physically demanding or hazardous activity either in a job or a hobby.
ARE BLOOD DONORS PAID?
No. We will not buy blood, as a matter of strict policy. Research shows that blood given voluntarily and freely tends to be least likely to have transfusion transmissible infections. Voluntary donors are also more likely to be honest in supplying information that could lead to the donation not being accepted.
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