•  
  •  
SlideBar

FAQs about blood donation

Why should you donate blood?

Every day at least 70 blood donors are required to meet the considerable transfusion needs of cancer patients at Tata Memorial Hospital. Only blood donors can help maintain an adequate supply of life saving blood as there is no substitute for blood. When you voluntarily donate blood, you may well be giving a second chance at life to someone unknown to you by your altruistic gesture.

Donate blood today. Give someone a tomorrow.

Who can donate blood?

Any person in good general health who age is 18 to 60 years weight is at least 45 Kg hemoglobin level is 12.5 g/dl or above and has not donated blood in the last 3 months

Who cannot donate blood?

Persons who either currently have or have had one of the following in the past are not eligible to donate blood:

  • Cancer
  • Abnormal bleeding tendency
  • AIDS or symptoms of AIDS such as unexplained weight loss, night sweats, swollen glands, long standing diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Hepatitis B or C (past history of Jaundice)
  • Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, AIDS

In order to maintain blood safety, the following groups of persons must refrain from donating blood

  • Men and women who have a positive test for HIV
  • Men and women have had sex with multiple partners
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Men and women who have injected themselves with intoxicating drugs

How often can I donate blood?

It is safe to donate blood every three months.

Is there any danger in donating blood?

There is virtually no danger. Only sterile and disposable needles are used to collect blood. There is absolutely no chance of catching any infectious disease by donating blood.

Interested in organising a voluntary blood donation camp?

To organize a blood donation camp, please contact the Medical Social Worker in Department of Transfusion Medicine, Tata Memorial Hospital on 24127096 during working hours on week days.

FAQs about platelet donation

What is platelet donation?

Blood has several constituents including red blood cells, platelets and plasma. When one donates platelets, by a procedure known as apheresis on a special equipment called the cell separator, only the platelets along with a small amount of plasma are withdrawn from the donor and the remaining components are returned to the donor's blood circulation. This procedure takes about about 90 minutes during which time the donor is constantly monitored by trained medical personnel.

Why should I donate platelets?

The adult dose for a patient is usually 4 to 8 platelet concentrates (RDPs). This would require 4 to 8 blood donors if platelet concentrates are prepared from whole blood which is collected during blood donation. With a platelet donation the platelets collected are equivalent to six to eight such whole-blood derived platelets (RDPs). Hence platelets donated during one apheresis session (apheresis platelets or SDPs) are sufficient for one transfusion. A platelet donor can donate platelets more frequently than whole blood donation since there is no loss of red cells. Patients with cancer or leukemia patients benefit immensely from such apheresis platelet donations.

How can I become an platelet donor?

The criteria for platelet donation are almost similar to whole blood donation. If you would like to become a platelet donor or know more about platelet donation please contact the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Tata Memorial Hospital on 24127096 during working hours on week days for further information.

Contact Us

TATA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Dr. E Borges Road, Parel, Mumbai - 400 012 India
Phone: +91-22- 24177000, 24177300, 24161413
Fax: +91-22-24146937
E-mail : msoffice@tmc.gov.in(for patient care and queries)/cash@tmc.gov.in(for accounts related)/fundraising@tmc.gov.in (for donors and donation related)/registrar@tmc.gov.in(for education and training)/hrd@tmc.gov.in(for administrative - HRD matters) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1132158 (147)