World Blood donation day 2024 - All important questions and answers about the blood donation
We’d like to use today’s “World Blood Donor Day” as an opportunity to provide you with information about blood donation. Are you a blood donor yourself, making an important contribution to the common good? Or are you perhaps someone who has already received a blood transfusion? Do you actually know your own blood type?
In Germany, only about 3% of the population donates blood regularly. The daily need for blood donations in Germany is around 15,000 to ensure that patients in hospitals are supplied with blood. There is a high demand for blood donations to meet daily medical needs in the long term. Every single person counts—including you!
Why should I donate blood?
Reasons to donate blood:
- Saving lives: Every blood donation can save up to three lives, since the blood is separated into its components (red blood cells, plasma, and platelets).
- Medical care: Blood donations are essential for surgeries, accident victims, cancer treatments, and chronic illnesses.
- Your own health: Regular donors undergo a medical examination before each donation, which can help with the early detection of health problems.
- Community Support: By donating blood, you make an important contribution to the medical care of your community.
- Gratitude and Reward: Many people feel gratitude and a sense of fulfillment through the altruistic act of donating blood. In some countries, donors also receive compensation for their time and effort.
What is a whole blood donation?
During a blood donation, approximately 500 milliliters of blood is typically collected. This includes all blood components (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and blood plasma). This amount is roughly half a liter and is well tolerated by a healthy adult. The exact amount may vary slightly, depending on the guidelines of the respective country or blood donation center. Since the body needs a certain amount of time to recover, there must be an interval of at least 8 weeks between two blood donations. Women may donate blood four times a year, while men may do so six times. This can be explained by the lower hematocrit level, which means women have a lower number of erythrocytes (red blood cells). A unit of blood has a maximum shelf life of 42 days.
Alternatives to whole blood donation
In addition to whole blood donation, there are other forms of blood donation, such as Plasma donation and platelet donation, in which different amounts and components of blood are collected:
- Plasma donation: During a plasma donation, only the plasma—the liquid, yellowish component of blood—is collected. Typically, between 600 and 800 ml of plasma is collected, depending on the donor’s body weight. Plasma consists of 90% water. The remainder consists of nutrients, hormones, minerals, and more than 120 different proteins.It performs vital functions in the body as a transport and storage medium. The remaining blood—and thus the blood components not needed (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets)—are returned to the donor. Valuable substances for medications are extracted from blood plasma; these are needed to treat life-threatening diseases, such as blood clotting disorders or immune system deficiencies. The interval between donations is significantly shorter than for whole blood donations. Up to 60 plasma donations can be made per year. There must be at least 2 days between donations. The German Red Cross recommends an interval of 7 days.
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Platelet donation: During platelet donation, the platelets are collected, while the red blood cells and plasma are returned to the donor. Platelets play a crucial role in wound healing, blood clotting, and treating immune deficiency. Most often, people suffering from leukemia or other cancers receive platelet donations because they can no longer produce platelets on their own. This occurs, for example, after a bone marrow transplant, serious accidents, or liver transplants. The recommended donation interval is 14 days, allowing for a maximum of 25 donations per year. Platelets have a shelf life of only 4 days. The procedure is similar to that of plasma donation. Platelets and a portion of plasma are filtered from the blood. The remaining components are returned to the body.
To distinguish between the three procedures, it is helpful to have an overview that directly compares all three.
| Criterion | Whole Blood Donation | Plasma donation | Platelet donation |
| Donation volume | 500 ml | 600–800 ml plasma | Individual |
| Duration of the procedure | 10–15 minutes | 45–60 minutes | 60–120 minutes |
| Frequency of donations | Every 8–12 weeks | 3–7 days | 14 days |
| Use of the donation | Emergencies, surgeries, anemia | Burns, coagulation disorders, shock | Cancer patients, transplants, severe bleeding |
| Shelf Life | 42 days | Up to 2 years (frozen) | 4 days |
| Who can donate | Healthy adults, ages 18–65, weighing at least 50 kg | Healthy adults, ages 18–65, weighing at least 50 kg | Healthy adults, ages 18–65, weighing at least 50 kg |
| Compensation | No | Yes | Yes |
What is the Rhesus factor, and why is it so important?
The Rhesus factor (Rh factor) is a protein that may be present on the surface of red blood cells. If the protein is present, the blood type is designated as Rh-positive (Rh+); if it is absent, it is designated as Rh-negative (Rh-). The Rhesus factor plays an important role in blood transfusions and pregnancies.
Rhesus factor and blood transfusions:
- Rh-positive (Rh+): People with Rh+ blood can receive both Rh+ and Rh- blood.
- Rh-negative (Rh-): People with Rh- blood may only receive Rh- blood, as a transfusion of Rh+ blood can lead to an immune reaction.
Rhesus Factor and Pregnancy:
The Rhesus factor is also important during pregnancy. If an Rh-negative mother is expecting an Rh-positive child, complications can arise, particularly in subsequent pregnancies, as the mother’s body may develop antibodies against Rh-positive cells. For this reason, pregnant Rh-negative women are often given an anti-D immunoglobulin injection (anti-D prophylaxis) to prevent this immune reaction.
In summary, the Rh factor is a crucial factor in blood group compatibility and must be carefully considered during blood transfusions and pregnancies.
Who Can Receive Which Blood?
This table illustrates blood group compatibility, taking the Rh factor into account. Rh-negative recipients must ensure they receive only Rh-negative blood to avoid immunological reactions. Rh-positive recipients, on the other hand, have more flexibility and can receive both Rh-positive and Rh-negative blood.
| Recipient | Can receive blood from: |
| 0- | 0- |
| 0+ | 0-, 0+ |
| A- | 0-, A- |
| A+ | 0-, 0+, A-, A+ |
| B- | 0-, B- |
| B+ | 0-, 0+, B-, B+ |
| AB- | 0-, A-, B-, AB- |
| AB+ | 0-, 0+, A-, A+, B-, B+, AB-, AB+ (all blood types) |
Example of compatibility:
- A person with blood type A- can receive blood from donors with blood types A- and 0-.
- A person with blood type A+ can receive blood from donors with blood types A+, A-, 0+, and 0-.
Who is eligible to donate blood, and what’s new?
Requirements for blood donors:
- Health: The donor must be healthy and free of infectious diseases.
- Age: Donors must be between 18 and 65 years old. First-time donors are generally not allowed to be older than 60; regular donors may donate up to age 68 or older, depending on a doctor’s assessment. The average age of blood donors is about 48, while the average age of first-time donors is 32.9.
- Weight: Minimum weight of 50 kg
- Blood pressure and hemoglobin level: Blood pressure must be within the normal range, and the hemoglobin level should be sufficiently high.
- Intervals between donations: Women may donate blood every 12 weeks and men every 8 weeks.
- Changes in Germany: Since September 2021, gay men in Germany have been allowed to donate blood if they have not had a new sexual partner for at least four months. This change was made to reduce discrimination while still ensuring the safety of the blood supply
Who is excluded from donating blood?
Exclusion criteria:
- Infectious diseases: People with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, or other infectious diseases
- Medication use: Certain medications may lead to temporary or permanent exclusion
- High-risk behavior: People with people at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as those with substance use disorders
- Travel to high-risk areas: Staying in areas at risk for malaria or the Zika virus results in a temporary exclusion
- Tattoos and piercings: Individuals who have gotten a tattoo or piercing in the last four months
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Women during pregnancy and up to six months after giving birth, or while breastfeeding
- Chronic diseases: People with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, that are not well controlled
What should you keep in mind on the day of your blood donation?
On the day of your blood donation, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure that the donation process goes smoothly and is safe for both the donor and the recipient. These measures help minimize the risk of side effects and ensure that you recover quickly from the blood donation.
Stay well-hydrated:
- Drink plenty of water before and after donating blood. Staying well-hydrated helps maintain blood volume and prevent circulatory symptoms resulting from the donation.
Eat enough:
- Eat a healthy meal before donating blood. However, avoid fatty foods, as they can interfere with blood testing.
Avoid alcohol:
- Avoid drinking alcohol on the day of your blood donation and, ideally, the day before as well, since alcohol is dehydrating and can affect your blood count.
Get enough sleep:
- Make sure to get enough sleep the night before donating blood. A well-rested body can better cope with blood loss.
Appropriate clothing:
- Wear short-sleeved clothing or clothing that can be easily rolled up so that medical staff can easily access your arm.
Check your health:
- Make sure you feel healthy. If you have cold symptoms, a fever, or other health issues, postpone your blood donation.
No strenuous physical activity:
- Avoid strenuous physical activity, sports, and heavy lifting on the day of your blood donation, both before and after.
Bring identification documents:
- Bring a valid ID or blood donor card, if required
After donating blood:
- Rest for 10–15 minutes after donating blood and drink plenty of fluids. A small snack will help stabilize your blood sugar level.
- Avoid standing up or making sudden movements immediately after donating blood to prevent dizziness.
- Pay attention to how you feel. If you feel dizzy or unwell, notify the medical staff immediately
Aftercare:
- Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24 hours and avoid alcohol
- Avoid intense exercise or strenuous activities for the rest of the day
