13 Jan Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service
Emma Sloan from the NIBTS plans to attend Ulidia again and lead a whole school assembly, encouraging pupils and staff to donate blood. This is a very informative assembly and challenges our school to think about sacrificing our time and blood to save the lives of others.
There are often questions asked about who can and cannot donate; Emma is a very clear communicator and motivates our pupils who in turn challenge their peers (who have had their 17th birthday) and parents. Here are a few simple pointers to get you thinking:
Can I donate?
Donors are selected firstly to ensure that they do not come to any harm from giving their donation and secondly to ensure that their donation is unlikely to harm any recipient. Only persons in good health will be accepted as donors. All donors will be evaluated for their fitness to donate on the day by a suitably qualified person.
What are the basic requirements for being a blood donor?
Age
•Donors can donate once they have reached their 17th birthday.
•1st time donors can donate up to their sixty-sixth birthday.
•Regular donors (i.e. those who give at least one donation in a two year period) can continue to donate beyond 70 years, provided they remain otherwise fit and well.
Weight
•Donors should weigh at least 50kg (7 stone 12 pounds).
•If you are a female & aged less than 20 years old additional height and weight criteria apply. We need to estimate your blood volume before deciding if you can donate.
•There is no upper weight limit. However, our donation beds will safely accommodate a donor weighing up to 25 stone (158kg).
Blood Count
Donors need to have an adequate haemoglobin (blood count) to donate. Haemoglobin levels have been set at 12.5g/dl for females and 13.5g/dl for males. Donors will have their blood count checked each time they come to donate. We do this by taking a tiny drop of blood from the fingertip.
How often can I donate?
Female donors can give blood every 16 weeks (every 4 months or 3 times in a 12 month period). Male donors can now give blood every 12 weeks (every 3 months or 4 times in a 12 month period). NIBTS will however continue to send out invitations to both male and female donors approximately every 16 weeks.
Reasons why you can’t donate
Age and weight
You should not donate if you are under 17 years of age, or if you are a 1st time donor beyond your 66th birthday. You should not donate if you weigh less than 50kg (7 stone 12 lbs.) See above for further information.
Timing of last donation
You should not donate if you are a man and have given blood within the last 12 weeks, or if you are a woman and have given blood within the last 16 weeks.
Please consider attending the next Blood Donation Clinic; information is available on the noticeboards around the school, in the 6th Form Centre and in the Staffroom.