Who can become a donor?
Practically anyone, as long as you?re over 18, under 60 and in good health.

What blood groups are needed?
All groups are needed

Where can I give blood?
The main collection facility is Central Blood Bank in Jabriya, as well as its four fixed satellite branches distributed in different areas in Kuwait, Amiri Hospital, Adan hospital, Jahra hospital and the Red Crescent Society.
Blood donation is also available at all Gulf Bank branches as per the schedule
www.e-gulfbank.com/givelife

How long does it take?
The donation will not exceed fifteen minutes, but the whole process, may take approximately thirty five minutes from registration to the end of the rest period.

What are the steps that I have to go through in order to donate blood?
Your blood will be checked to make sure you are fit enough to give blood and that giving blood will cause you no harm. In addition to making sure your blood will be safe for the patient who will receive it.

The Questionnaire:  

You will be asked complete a health questionnaire with the help of one of our doctors or nurses. After a few quick questions, a registered health care professional, a doctor or a nurse will ask about your health. Your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence. They are routine enquiries which must be made for all volunteers before their donation is accepted. If you do qualify you will be asked to sign a document stating that you are happy for your blood to be tested later in the laboratory, the test will show your blood group and you will be screened for any infection that may be transmitted in blood such as hepatitis viruses (which cause jaundice) and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV); if any of these positive tests show that you cannot became a donor, the reasons will be explained to you along with all the advice you need in the strictest confidence.

Hemoglobin Screening: 

Do not worry that giving blood could affect your own health. Blood will only be collected from those who can spare it!  All volunteers are screened to ensure that a donation will not make them anaemic. This is done by collecting a tiny drop of blood from your finger, the test may show that you cannot spare a full donation on that day. If so, you will be informed of the necessary procedures and another test can take place after a few days.

Honestly, does it hurt?
Giving blood is normally quick and painless. Most donors are pleasantly surprised at just how soon it?s all over. In about five to ten minutes 450ml (about a pint) will be collected.

Is there any risk?
All donations are taken by trained staff. These staff members never work without the supervision of a doctor or nurse. Every piece of equipment used is sterile and never used again. There?s no risk of a donor becoming infected in any way.
A very small number of donors sometimes feel a little hot or faint after giving blood, or experience minor bruising where the needle went in, but this is rare and is not generally a cause for concern.

What will I get out of giving blood?
In just 30 minutes you can save 3 lives. Life after all is the greatest gift that a person can give.

Health screening tests:

Every donor undergoes a physical, medical and laboratory check up, where the blood is screened for all transmittable diseases such as hepatitis B and C HTLV, HIV, malaria and syphilis.

Headache relief: 

A number of donors have a higher number of red cells than normal for natural reasons, which increases the viscosity of blood and therefore creates headaches. Donating blood will relieve this symptom.

High blood pressure:  Donating blood will help to reduce high blood pressure, providing that you do not suffer from any complications such as heart diseases.

Helping others: 

Becoming a donor is an act that benefits many. It is a way of helping others less fortunate than ourselves in our community.

Heart trouble:

Research proved without a doubt that incidents of heart disease are significantly less in donors than in non donors.
Knowing that one has helped in saving someone?s life can give the individual a great feeling of satisfaction and this is a reward in itself.