Blood donation can save many lives. “The basic requirements for contributing to this noble cause are to be between 18 and 60 years old, to be healthy, to weigh more than 50 kilograms and to measure more than 1.50 meters; just to name a few”, explains Dr. Eddy Manrique, in charge of the Blood Bank at Clínica Ricardo Palma

However, there is much more information around the donation culture

Life that gives life

Therefore, the following recommendations should be considered:

• 450 milliliters of blood are drawn and red blood cells, plasma, and platelets are obtained in each donation
• Fasting is not required to donate. If you are going to donate by mid-morning, we recommend having a light fat-free breakfast. If you are going to donate by mid-afternoon, you should wait 4 hours
• People who have had hepatitis A in childhood are eligible to donate
• It is necessary to wait 6 months after surgery to donate; if you received any transfusion, you should wait 12 months
• Women can donate while menstruating, as long as their bleeding is not heavy
• There are several medicines not allowed for donations (antibiotics, insulin, antiarrhythmics, for acne, among others)
• You cannot donate if you have fungus in a large area of your body or in several parts. If it is ungueal mycosis, you may donate after 7 to 14 days after treatment is finished
• People with hypertension can donate if they do not have arrhythmias and the medicine they take keep their pressure under control

The following people cannot donate:

• If you have a cold, take drugs, have or have had a venereal disease, have had hepatitis B or C
• If you have been vaccinated during the last month, you are taking antibiotics or antimycotics, have heart disease, cancer or diabetes
• If you have received a transfusion or had a tattoo or piercing during the last year

Dr. Eddy Manrique
Blood Bank at Clínica Ricardo Palma