All you need to know to donate blood

More than 1,120,000 people donated blood in Spain in 2023. Would you like to donate? Here are all the steps you need to follow to become a blood donor.

BY María Pérez | 11 October 2024

For the last three decades, Spain has been self-sufficient in blood components thanks to the solidarity of healthcare professionals and Spaniards who donate altruistically every year. In 2023, these figures enabled a total of 1,740,025 transfusions, treating more than 464,422 patients. These donations are an actual lifesaver, since, as the Red Cross points out, one out of every two people living in Spain will need blood at some point in their lives, or in other terms, every three seconds a blood transfusion is required.

However, although we may be pioneers in the field of blood donation, Spain still needs to increase its plasma reserves, a necessary component for creating treatments that are essential for the survival of many patients. Although it is less common, there is a form of donation where only plasma is removed, by means of plasmapheresis, which is carried out in a machine called a cell separator; this simple type of extraction allows donations to be more frequent, even alternating plasma-only and conventional donations. It takes 45 minutes and yields about 600 ml of plasma. It can be performed up to six times a year. The steps and requirements for donating plasma are the same as those for donating blood.

What is donated blood used for?

Every day, hospitals need to request the amount they require of each different blood component from a blood bank.

Red blood cells: They are required when dealing with accidents and surgery, as well as in some cancer treatments.
Plasma: Used to create medicines, in patients with clotting disorders and for patients with severe burns.
Platelets: Used in cancer patients and to prevent haemorrhage.

Steps to donate blood:

The donor is given generic information about the donation. Photo ID is required to establish the donor’s identity.
The donor then completes a medical questionnaire. It is important to fill in the information carefully in order to protect both the donor's and the recipient's health. All data is treated confidentially. The requirements for donating blood include: being of legal age, weighing more than 50 kg, feeling well, not suffering from a serious illness and, unlike in the case of most blood tests, you must not come in on an empty stomach. In the case of blood donations, women can donate up to three times a year and men a maximum of four times a year.
A medical interview is carried out to ensure that the donation does not pose a risk to the donor's health or that of the recipient. In addition, blood pressure is taken, and an anaemia test is carried out.
Finally, the blood is drawn and collected in a bag with a capacity of 450 ml, which contains an anticoagulant fluid and preservatives. This amount can save up to three lives, as the blood is divided into three components: red blood cells, plasma and platelets.
After completing this process, rest for a few minutes and drink plenty of fluids.

To conclude, donating blood is a simple and safe process that can save up to three lives with a single donation. If you wish to do it and if you meet the required conditions, you can become a blood donor today by going to one of many blood donation centres.