Blood
Donation
Counseling
Presented by: Aiqah Mansoor
Table of contents
I. Introduction to Blood
II. Blood Groups and Compatibility
III. Blood Donation Basics
IV. Donation Process
V. Donor Counseling
INTRODUCTION
● Blood is a specialized connective tissue
that constitutes approximately 7–8% of
body weight.
● The average adult has 5–6 liters of
blood.
● It serves vital functions like oxygen
transport, immunity, temperature
regulation, and pH balance.
Blood Components
Plasma
55%
Transports hormones, nutrients, proteins
White blood cells
1%
Immune defense mechanisms
Platelets
1%
Aid in clotting and prevent hemorrhage
Red Blood Cells 40-45
Carry oxygen via hemoglobin %
Blood Group Systems
● The ABO and Rh system is the most common and
important.
● Bombay Blood Group – Lacks H antigen
● Duffy System – Important in malaria studies
● Lewis, Kidd, MNS – Rare transfusion reactions
● Kell System – Hemolytic disease of newborn
Blood
Donor
World Blood Donor Day
14 June
Give Blood Give Hope Together We Save Lives
National Voluntary Blood
Donation Day
October 1st
Donor Selection : Criteria
• Donor must be in good health.
• Age: 18–65 years
• Weight: >45 kg
• Normal blood pressure
• Not a diabetic on insulin or with uncontrolled diabetes
• Donation Interval: Minimum 3 months between donations
• Skin Health: No skin disease at phlebotomy site
• No history of Hepatitis, AIDS, Syphilis
• No History of recent fever, infection, surgery
Types of Blood Donors
1. Based On the motivation and situation
a. Voluntary Donor
• Donates without reward
• Safest category
• Backbone of a safe blood supply.
b. Replacement Donor
• Donates to replace a unit used by a family member/friend
c. Professional Donor (Banned in India)
• Donates in exchange for money — Discouraged and high-risk
d. Directed/Designated Donor
• Chosen specifically for a patient (e.g., sibling or rare group match)
2. Based on Frequency of Donation
a. First-time Donors
• Need more attention, counseling, and reassurance.
b. Regular/Repeat Donors
• Donate blood regularly (every 3–4 months).
• Have lower deferral rates and better understanding of donation process.
3. Based on Type of Donation
a. Whole Blood Donor
• Donates entire blood (RBCs, plasma, platelets).
• Most common type of donation.
• Volume ~350–450 mL.
b. Apheresis Donor
• Donates specific components like platelets, plasma, or WBCs.
• Rest of blood is returned to the donor.
• Takes longer (1.5–2 hours), but safer for repeat donation.
c. Autologous Donation
• Patient donates own blood prior to elective surgery
4. Based on Relation to Recipient
a. Related Donor
• Family member donates for the patient.
• May be emotionally motivated.
b. Unrelated Donor
• No blood relation; may be voluntary or replacement.
• Common in voluntary donation systems.
Blood Regeneration
1. Plasma Regeneration
• Timeline: Begins immediately, completed within 24 hours
• Plasma is mainly water, proteins (albumin, globulins,
clotting factors)
• Replacement occurs via:
• Increased water intake
• Redistribution of body fluids
• Liver synthesis of plasma proteins
2. Red Blood Cell (RBC) Regeneration
• Timeline: 3–4 weeks
• Stimulated by erythropoietin, secreted by kidneys in
response to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity
• Bone marrow increases RBC production
• Reticulocyte count (immature RBCs) may temporarily rise
3. Iron Store Replenishment
• Timeline: ~6–8 weeks
• Lost iron (~200–250 mg) is replenished via diet or
supplements
• Thus, donation interval is 3 months for males and 4 months
for females
Steps in the Blood
Donation Process
1. Registration
2. Medical Screening (BP, Hb,
temp, history)
3. Consent (written)
4. Blood Collection
5. Rest & Refreshment
6. Post-donation Advice
Indications for Blood Transfusion
• Hemoglobin <7 g/dL (symptomatic
anemia)
• Acute blood loss >15% of total blood
volume
• Perioperative support in major
surgeries
• Platelet count <10,000 or <50,000
with active bleeding
• Bone marrow suppression (e.g. in
chemotherapy)
• Clotting factor deficiencies
KEY NUMBERS
120+ million
blood donations are collected annually worldwide
10–11 million
collected in India
5–10%
collected blood is wasted due to poor storage, outdated
units, or lack of component separation facilities.
Donor
counceling
PRE-DONATION COUNSELING
1. Greeting and Rapport Building
2. Informing about the Process
3. Medical and Lifestyle History
4. Eligibility Criteria
5. Physical Examination and Consent
6. Assure confidentiality
Vitals Check:
• Temperature: <37.5°C
• Pulse: 60–100 bpm
• BP: 100–180 / 60–100 mmHg
Hemoglobin Test
Written Informed Consent
• Explains benefits, risks, and rights
• Ensures voluntariness
● What to Eat/Drink Before Donation
○ Light, non-fatty meal 2–3 hrs prior
○ Stay hydrated
● What to Avoid
○ Alcohol, heavy meals, smoking
● Clarify myths and fears
○ No risk of infection
○ Blood volume regenerates quickly
○ Share real-life stories of impact
● Benefits
○ Free health check (BP, Hb, weight)
○ Mental satisfaction: “I saved a life or 3”
○ Burns ~650 calories
○ May reduce iron overload in hemochromatosis
○ Regular donation (2-3 times a year): Lowers
cholesterol, Lowers lipid levels, Decreases incidence of
heart attacks, strokes
DURING DONATION COUNSELING
Donor Preparation
• Comfortable chair/bed
• Explain the procedure again
• Tourniquet, antiseptic, and sterile equipment used
• Duration: 8–10 minutes for ~350–450 mL of blood
• Ask donor to:
• Keep fist moving gently
• Inform staff of any discomfort
• Observe for signs of: Dizziness, Sweating, Nausea
• Encourage deep breathing and conversation
• Stop donation immediately if donor shows distress
• Acknowledge their contribution during the process
POST-DONATION COUNSELING
Immediate Care
• Ask donor to lie down or sit for 10–15 minutes
• Provide fluids (juice/water) and light snacks
● Observe for:
○ Hypotension
○ Vasovagal syncope
○ Nausea/vomiting
○ Apply pressure bandage to puncture site
○ Remove band-aid after 4 hrs. If bleeds apply
pressure and reapply band-aid. If bruised,
apply cold-pack 4 to 5 times of 5 mins each
Donor Instructions Post-Donation
• Avoid:
• Smoking for 2 hours and Alcohol till after meal
• Strenuous activity/heavy lifting for 24 hours
• Hydrate well
• Eat a proper meal
• If dizziness, lie down with feet elevated
Emotional Support & Gratitude
• Appreciate the donor’s life-saving contribution
• Provide certificate/token if available
• Encourage regular donations (every 3 months for males, 4 months for females)
• Address any lingering doubts or concerns
• Offer contact number in case of delayed reaction
SUMMARY
• Pre-Donation: Educate, screen, consent
• During Donation: Comfort, monitor, encourage
• Post-Donation: Recover, care, motivate
• Safe blood = Healthy donor + Informed donation
• Counseling is key to voluntary and repeat donations
THANK YOU
For attention &
donation
Of your time
