Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the source of the blood ?
  Voluntary blood donors with clean medical history for the preparation of various blood components.
• How often can one donate blood ?
  A healthy individual ( male or Female ) can donate blood once in 90 days subject to an acceptable level of pre - donation Hemoglobin concentration. 
• How can I save four lives?
  The blood you donate is split into four components
•  (viz) RBCs, Platelets, Plasma and Cryoprecipitate.
• Can one develop AIDS, Hepatitis or any other disease by donating blood ?
  NO. if you use only single use disposable equipment for collecting donor blood. As a donor you have every right to satisfy yourself about the products used in the blood bank.
• Why is only a component of the blood used and not the whole blood ?
  Over the last decade, blood transfusion has been made safer by transfusing only the needed component of the blood to the patients ( viz. ) RBCs for those who are anemic and those undergoing surgery, Platelets for those children and adults whose platelet count is low due to disease or medication they received and Plasma for those with burn injuries or bleeding problems. Apart from providing the right component, this approach helps in optimal use of available blood.
• What is the shelf life of various components ?
  RBCs can be stored up to 42 days at 2 - 6 C, Platelets for 5 days at 21.5 - 22.5 C with constant agitation and Plasma for one year at less than - 30 C. When stored as whole blood , the clotting factors in the plasma lose their efficacy in 4 hours and the platelets lose their function after 24 hours. Hence the need to discontinue use of whole blood and prevent wastage of these blood components.
• How is blood safety ensured ?
  Blood transfusion can never be 100 % safe. What is safe today may not be safe as knowledge improves. Examples for this will be the new knowledge on Hepatitis B Virus and HIV Virus. However, Blood Banks are expected to ensure the safety by testing the donor blood for diseases known to be transmitted at that point of time. Currently law in India requires testing of each unit of donated blood ( not the donor prior to donation ) for Hepatitis B ( HBsAg ), HIV (Antibody Test) VDRL, Malaria.
  Hepatitis B virus (HBsAg & Anti Hbc Total)
  HIV virus (Antigen & Antibody)
  Hepatitis C virus ( Anti HCV - III Generation )
  Cytomegalo Virus
  Malaria
  Microfilaria
  Leptospira
  Syphilis
  Liver enzyme ALT.
• How is the compatibility test done between the blood of donor and recipient?
  It is assumed that if the blood of donor and recipient belong to the same group they will match. But in reality it is not so. Apart for A, B, and O group antigens there are many other blood group antigens on the Red cell surface of every human being. Under normal circumstances a full panel cross-match is done before every unit is released for transfusion. Only in the event of emergencies and if the consultant orders blood component without full panel cross-match, the same is issued with only ABOD compatibility testing.
• Are the blood components available any time of the day ?
  Blood components are issued 24 hours a day subject to availability of compatible units.
• What is Blood Donors Book
  "Blood Donor Book" is a section where you can register yourself as a interested donor, anybody who is in urgent need of blood can contact u through email, But its totally on your discretion to agree or express your inability.