Helpful Tips For a Successful Donation

Before donating :

• Get a lot of rest the night before your donation.
• Have a good breakfast and/or lunch but avoid fatty foods. Fatty materials (lipids) remain in your blood for several hours and may prevent the proper testing of your blood. Eat iron rich foods such as beans, iron-fortified cereals, green leafy vegetables, raisins.
• 24 hours prior to donating, begin drinking lots of liquids (especially water) – avoid caffeinated beverages.
  

At the donation site:

• Relax, feeling good as you are going to save a life.
  
• Rest for 10-15 mins in donation bed immediately after donating blood.

After donating:

• Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours.
• Take the supplements Vitamin-C and Iron (provided by Blood Bank) if necessary.
  
• Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 12 hours after the donation.