Everything about donating blood
Eligibility, the donation process, compatibility, and myth-busting — all in plain language.
Who can donate?
You can donate if you…
- Are between 18 and 65 years of age
- Weigh at least 50 kg
- Have haemoglobin of 12.5 g/dL or above
- Are in general good health on donation day
- Had your last whole-blood donation 90+ days ago
- Have eaten a proper meal in the last 4 hours
Please wait / avoid if you…
- Have cold, flu, fever or infection right now
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or recently delivered
- Got a tattoo or piercing in the last 6 months
- Had major surgery in the last 6 months
- Have uncontrolled BP, diabetes, or heart conditions
- Consumed alcohol in the last 24 hours
What happens when you donate
The whole visit takes about 30–45 minutes. The needle part? Barely 10.
Registration
Quick form and a short health questionnaire — five minutes, tops.
Mini Check-up
Pulse, blood pressure, haemoglobin — a volunteer doctor confirms you're fit.
Donation
450 ml collected in 8–10 relaxed minutes on a comfortable recliner.
Refresh & Rest
Juice, biscuits and 10 minutes of rest — then you're off, a certified hero.
Who can you help?
Select your blood group to see who you can give to — and receive from.
O− is the universal donor
In emergencies when there's no time to test, O− saves the day — only 1 in 15 Indians has it.
AB+ is the universal recipient
AB+ patients can safely receive red cells from any group.
Bombay (hh) is ultra-rare
Roughly 1 in 10,000 in India. Bombay-group patients can only receive Bombay blood — registries like ours are their lifeline.
Your body bounces back fast
Plasma is replaced within 24–48 hours; red cells within 4–6 weeks. Donation doesn't weaken you.
Compatibility checker
Tap your blood group:
Let's bust some myths
Myth
- "Donating blood makes you weak for weeks."
- "You can catch infections from donating."
- "Vegetarians don't have enough blood to donate."
- "Women shouldn't donate blood."
Fact
- Most donors feel completely normal within 24 hours.
- Every needle is sterile and single-use. Zero infection risk.
- Diet doesn't decide eligibility — haemoglobin does, and it's tested on the spot.
- Any healthy adult of any gender can donate safely.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to roll up your sleeve?
You've read the guide. You know the facts. All that's left is the two-minute registration.