Men can give blood every 3 months (4

times/year) and women every 4 months

Donation Process
20 QUESTIONS
(3 times/year) without this causing any The donation process takes around 30
problems to themselves. A total unit of
blood is about 450ml. Every person has
minutes. We would like to remind you
that you should not give blood without
ABOUT GIVING
eating (fasting).
around 5-6 liters of blood in circulation,
depending on their body surface.
You may eat a light meal/snack without
alcohol and that isn’t fatty, such as a
BLOOD
The blood you donate is rapidly sandwich and a soft drink/juice. If you
replaced by your body. It is not possible have lunch, you should wait the 3 hours
to contract any illness when donating after digestion before donating.
blood, as all the materials used are When you arrive at any regional Blood
sterile, disposable and used only once. Bank or hospital with a blood donation
service, you will be seen by the
You can give blood if you are in good administrative personnel who will fill in
health, have a healthy life-style, weight your form.
50kg or more and are aged between 18 It is important that you bring your ID
and 65 years. card or “cartão do cidadão” in order for
For a first donation, the limit of age is your personal details to be filled in
correctly and later you will receive your
60 years.
National Blood Donor card.
The Blood Bank (Transfusional
Medicine Services) takes blood from
donors:
 Monday to Friday from 8:30am to
1:00pm
 Saturdays from 8:30am to
12:30pm.
PRIOR DONATION SCHEDULE
Monday to Friday from
8:30am to 3:00pm
Contact: 291 705 752
email:dadoresmadeira@sesaram.pt
Mod.21.PC01_02
 9- I gave my blood willingly, but I think it’s being sold 16- I was pressured to give blood and I am not willing to
1- No one has ever asked me to give blood to patients. do it again.
Consider yourself invited. This silent invitation is not It is strictly prohibited to sell or commercialize blood. No one has an obligation to give blood. Donating blood
formal, it’s real: it’s directed by all children and adults Only expenses in relation to the blood preparation, this is a free and voluntary act of people who are used to
that need blood or it’s components, by all the victims of is, the costs associated with laboratory, materials and thinking of others. However, don’t forget, that many
work and road traffic accidents, by all those that are examinations in order for transfusions to occur with the people need the blood that only you can give, because
awaiting blood availability in order to have their highest safety, can be charged. you are healthy.
operations, and for this reason, are occupying a bed that
many others need. 10- I am worried that I may feel weak after giving blood. 17- If I need blood, I will go to a private service and pay
450ml is the amount of blood taken when you donate for all the costs involved.
2- My blood is probably no good as I have had several blood. The proteins and blood cells that are in this You may have all the money needed to pay for all the
illnesses. volume are quickly renewed by the body’s circulation. blood in the world, but you should never forget that you
Your question should be answered by your GP/ Moments after your donation anyone can return to cannot transfuse money. Even in these cases, someone
attending doctor. But, you could simply offer to donate normal daily life. has had to donate some of their blood in order for you to
your blood, as you will be submitted to a clinical However, some professionals, such as, aircraft pilots, to benefit from it.
examination, during which the doctor will advise you of divers, should not work for a few hours after donating Without the blood, your money is worthless. In fact, for
the correct procedures, always taking into account blood. all to go well and there be no risks associated, it should
what’s best for your health and well-being. Trust the be the blood waiting for the patient and not the other way
blood bank services and their doctors. 11- There are already many people giving blood. round.
It’s true, but the need for blood and it’s components
3- Do I need the blood I donate. does not stop growing. Thanks to advances in medical 18- My blood is no good.
In a normal adult there is between 5-6 liters of blood. A science and the growing benefits of delivering a service A sample of your blood will be analyzed. If any
healthy person may donate blood regularly, and this will with better quality, we need more donors, who, like you, abnormalities are detected, you will be informed and
not harm their health. are in good health and have a healthy lifestyle, so that guided about what you need to do.
we can attend to the therapeutically needs of patients.
4- My type of blood is not the one needed the most. 19- It’s not very convenient for me to give blood.
All blood types are necessary, even those that are not 12- I never thought my blood would be needed. You can choose the day and time that best suits you.
the rarest. You only need to remember that you may also Of course it is. Every minute blood is needed in all
need blood one day. Imagine that everyone with the hospitals to across our country. Make the decision now! 20- I will only give blood if someone needs it
same blood group as you thought like this. That someone may be a member of your family that is
13- I don’t know how or where to give blood. very dear to you, and you are not even be aware of what
5- Honestly… I’m scared to give blood. Very easily done: go to your nearest hospital. Your visit is going on. In fact, in catastrophic situations, usually
A large number of people think like this, when they are is always welcome and you will be given all the there is no shortage of blood.
giving blood for the first time. But after, they lose their information you wish. The real shortage happens every day, without media
fear and giving blood becomes natural and simple. attention; it is the reality of the blood bank service.
14- I don’t have time. Problems arise when it is the patient who has to wait for
6- I’m not old enough to donate blood. If for one second you stop to think about the good that the blood and not the blood that is waiting for the patient.
Any healthy person, aged between 18 and 65 years you are doing by donating your blood, quickly you will
can give blood without any problem. realize that this is not a good enough reason: surely you
are not as busy as you think.
7- I don’t weight a lot.
Any person that weights more than 50kg can donate 15- I am afraid I will be turned down as a donor.
blood. If you are healthy, there is no reason not to try. There
are several reasons why you may not be able to give
8- I have already donated blood this year. blood or be put “on hold”. If this happens temporarily,
Well done, but you can donate again without this come back and try once your doctor gives you the go
causing any inconvenience to your health or wellbeing. ahead.
Anyone can donate blood several times a year (men
every 3 months, women every 4 months). This
information is evidence based.