My friend needs a blood donor. I want to donate but im scared. is it scary?

Question

whats the donation process? will it hurt? will i feel sick after the operation? is it safe?

Answer 1

In all honesty there are some people who are scared by it. But there are also plenty who are not. In my experience, it is the IDEA of the whole process that unnerves most people, not anything that really happens.

I spent years being the guy who draws blood. Here is generally what happens:

You go to the right place, either with an appointment or just dropping in (depending on the kind of place you're going). You fill out a form and are asked a bunch of questions about your recent history, so they can tell if you're likely to have a blood-borne disease. The questions aren't usually things you'd need a doctor to answer... more like "what countries have to travelled to in the last few years", "have you used intravenous drugs", and "are you aware of being exposed to anyone with malaria". Some of them can be a little embarassing, but the professional who goes over your questions has heard it all (you can't imagine!), so there's no need to feel uncomfortable. But TELL THE TRUTH. The blood will be tested anyway, and who wants to pass on a disease?!

Then they'll set you down either on a couch with an armrest or lying down on a bed. They'll roll up a sleeve and look for a good vein in the antecubital area of your arm (on the inside and below the elbow). They may mark the spot, and from then on it's important to keep your arm pretty still.

The area will be scrubbed with an antibiotic and allowed to dry, a device like a rubber strap or a blood-pressure cuff will be tightened around your upper arm to build up pressure, then they'll stick the needle in your arm. You will probably feel a sensation not unlike someone giving you a fairly strong pinch at that point, and perhaps a bit of stinging as well.

If all goes well, both of those sensations will fade fairly quickly (often by the time they're done loosening the strap). Sometimes the procedure is even entirely painless. And sometimes for one reason or another the needle isn't positioned right, so they'll need to adjust it (that can be painful sometimes, and sometimes not).

At that point you will probably be directed to squeeze your hand every few seconds to keep the blood flowing, but keep the rest of your arm still. The actual bleeding part takes anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes or so. Since, as I mentioned, that part is usually entirely painless, you may be surprised when someone comes over and tells you that you're done.

Don't move your arm yet! They'll pull the needle out (sometimes that hurts a bit, if you've already formed a clot around it) and have you hold your arm in the air and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. After a half-minute or so, they'll take your arm down and wrap it in a bandage. Then there's nothing left but to have juice and cookies and rest for about 15 more minutes so they can make sure you're okay. All together, the whole procedure should take about an hour.

After that, most people don't experience any major effects of note, though many report feeling a little less energetic for a day or so. Though I've known people who went off to play sports right after (I wouldn't recommend it).

There are a few things you can do to make things a lot easier. The biggest is to drink LOTS of water and avoid caffeine. This puts more stuff in your veins, so they're easier to see and hit, and so you are also much less prone to have negative effects. Also, the interview is obviously easier and faster if you know what they're asking, so you may want to review your recent travel history and think about any major illnesses you've had and the like before you go (some people who travel a lot bring a card with all the dates and places).

There are some bad things that COULD happen to you when donating, but in years of drawing blood from thousands of people I've never seen some of them happen. Usually the worst that ever happens is someone hurts themselves because they lose consciousness, fall down, and bonk their heads on something when they first stand up after donating (and that happens rarely). So take things easy and don't try and be a superhero. Also keep in mind that the person taking your blood is working WITH you... if you want to stop for some reason, they'll stop. If you're feeling odd, let them know and they can help you. If they're good, they'll know you're about to feel odd before you do sometimes.

The best thing to do is just do it. You may be nervous the first time, and maybe the second time. But after that you can impress everyone with how easy you do the whole thing while everyone else is quaking in their boots. And best of all, you'll be glad you did.

Answer 2

Heck no! Couldn't be easier--all you do is lie down. And they give you cookies.

First you'll be asked a long list of screening questions to be sure you're eligible to donate. They'll prick your finger and take a couple drops of blood to make sure you have enough iron in your blood (this is the worst part of the whole thing). And they'll take your blood pressure.

If all that goes well, they take you over to lie down on a cot. You pick which arm you want to use (usually your non-dominant arm) and they put a blood pressure cuff on, pump it up, and ask you to squeeze a little ball to help them find a vein, which they mark. Then they swab it with antiseptic.

Then they stick you, which honestly is nowhere near bad as the finger prick from earlier. If the person is really good you may not even realize they've done it already. You sit there and squeeze the little ball every five seconds or so until they tell you you're done. It's pretty quick, maybe five minutes. Then you pick what color bandage you want, they wrap up your elbow, and send you over to the canteen to eat cookies and drink punch. Then you walk out, no worse for the experience.

Make sure you are well hydrated before you go--drink lots of water all day. Eat that day, but not right before. Otherwise you may feel dizzy or nauseated. I did the first time I gave blood because I didn't know to drink a lot first. A couple of old ladies jumped on me with cold wet towels. Well, that's what it felt like. Actually they were very nice and sat with me until I felt better. No problems since then.

I give blood frequently. I guess if you're donating for a friend and you're in a hospital it might work a little bit differently, but that's the general idea.

Answer 3

Blood donation is nothing to be scared of! My mom's been donating blood for DECADES and is totally healthy. I just wish I didn't have health issues so I could donate myself.

They'll check your weight, and determine how much blood you can safely donate based on that. Then they'll have you lie down, because some people get dizzy, and they'll take the blood. The needle they use looks big and scary, but it's nothing much, and you don't have to worry about infection because they are VERY careful about not contaminating the blood, so they use a fresh needle every time and swipe your arm to make sure that it's disinfected too.

There is a slight prick when the needle goes in, and then it's just a matter of sitting there and waiting while the blood flows through the tube. It's no worse than getting a vaccination shot, and because there's nothing being injected you don't have to worry about allergic reactions.

Once you've given the blood, you stay there for a little bit so that they can be sure that you aren't going to have a dizzy spell and fall, and they give you some juice and a light snack to help you get your blood pressure back up. You might find yourself a little tired, and you'll need to rest until the next day and have a healthy dinner, but that's it. A couple days later - max - and you'll be totally back to normal. Inside of a week, you'll have totally replaced all the blood you donated.

Answer 4

You should read "The Blood Pressure Solution" (also available in electronic format, watch the video presentation here: http://www.fixbloodpressure.com ) It's a very comprehensive step-by-step book that walks you through the natural remedies of high blood pressure. It provides you with a lot of information on what foods to eat, how you can acquire and prepare these foods, how you can change your lifestyle for the better, how to eliminate the toxins from your body, how to reduce stress, how you can check your blood pressure level the correct way etc.

The book is amazing in that it not only lowers your blood pressure without the help of medications; it also aids you in having a life that is healthy, happier, and less stressful. This book chanced my life.

Answer 5

Donating blood is easier than donating Plasma. Both processes are easy. With Plasma donation the prick in your finger is the worse part. It's done to test your proteins and iron levels. Afterwards some people experience lightheadedness or dizziness. Rest, avoid alcohol, drink plenty of fluids and you will replenish what you have lost. Yes, it is safe.

Answer 6

I also wants to donate blood but yet not getting chance....

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best of luck

Answer 7

no it's a simple process eat a good breakfast or lunch before u go to donate and then afterwards stay very hydrated and try not to use your arm to much for about 24 hours they will explain this to you.

Answer 8

It's not an operation. It doesn't hurt. It's just a little bit time consuming.

Answer 9

I don't know what it is like, but think of your friend. Your friend should be more important than you feeling sick. Do the right thing. Your friend will really appreciate it and after you do you will feel really good about yourself.

Answer 10

no, it's easy