Blood donation and blood transfusion

Who is it for?

In Türkiye, the conditions for donating are set out in the national guide of the Turkish Ministry of Health (Sağlık Bakanlığı) and in statements by Kızılay:

• Being between 18 and 65 years old and healthy; for first-time donors the upper limit is age 60
• Regular donors can donate after age 65, up to age 70, at most once a year with the approval of the donation center doctor
• Weighing at least 50 kilograms
• Having a hemoglobin (the protein in blood that carries oxygen) level of at least 12.5 g/dL for women and at least 13.5 g/dL for men

After a tattoo, acupuncture, cupping (hacamat) or a blood transfusion, you wait 12 months. You cannot donate during pregnancy or for at least 9 months after giving birth. People who have had hepatitis B or C cannot donate. Thalassemia (Mediterranean anemia) carriers can donate if they are in good health and their hemoglobin level is normal; people with thalassemia major cannot donate. For people who take medicines, the decision depends on the reason for the medicine. The donation center doctor makes the final decision.

A blood transfusion may be needed after heavy blood loss in an accident, surgery or childbirth, in blood diseases such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia, for low blood counts (anemia) caused by radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and when blood does not clot well. Depending on the need, red blood cells, platelets (thrombocytes) or plasma are given.

How does it work?

You go to donate blood with an ID that has a photo and your Turkish national ID number. You fill in registration and screening forms; your answers are kept confidential. Your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and weight are measured, a blood count is done on a small sample, and a doctor does a brief examination. If you are eligible, about 450 milliliters of blood is taken from a vein in your arm using single-use sterile equipment. Drawing the blood takes 4–8 minutes, and the whole process takes about 30–35 minutes. Before donating, eat a full meal, preferably up to two hours before, and do not drink alcohol.

Before a blood transfusion, your blood group is determined from a sample of your blood: A, B, AB or O, and Rh positive or negative. In the crossmatch (cross-match) test, a little of the donor blood is mixed with your blood to check whether the cells clump together or break down. After the doctor explains the reason for the transfusion, its benefits and its risks, a consent form is signed; you can withdraw your consent at any time. In an emergency, it may not be possible to get consent beforehand.

Just before the transfusion, your name, date of birth and wristband are checked against the label on the bag. The blood is given slowly through a thin tube placed in a vein in your arm. A health care worker stays with you for the first 15 minutes; your pulse, temperature and blood pressure are measured regularly. A transfusion usually takes up to 4 hours.

Afterwards

After donating blood, rest for a while and press on the needle site for as long as you are told; if you stop too early, a bruise may form.

• Drink plenty of fluids on the day of donation; do not smoke for the first 2 hours
• Do not carry heavy loads with the arm you gave blood from for the first few hours
• On the day of donation, stay away from Turkish baths (hamam), saunas and strenuous exercise
• If you feel dizzy, lie down, or sit with your head between your knees
• If you are a pilot, a commercial vehicle driver or someone who works at heights, return to work after 24 hours

In people who donate often, iron stores can fall without causing symptoms. For this reason, ferritin (iron stores) is measured in people who have made more than four whole blood donations in the last two years; if it is low, donation is temporarily deferred.

After a blood transfusion, if you are not very ill, you usually go home. Reactions can also appear hours or even weeks later. In conditions that need regular transfusions, such as beta thalassemia major, iron can build up in the body (iron overload). Because excess iron can damage organs, it is reduced with chelation therapy (medicines that remove excess iron).

In Türkiye

In Türkiye, blood donation takes place at Türk Kızılay (Turkish Red Crescent) donation points; across the country, donations are taken at an average of 300 points a day. You can use kanver.org for appointments and to find the nearest donation point. Donation is voluntary and unpaid. Kızılay does not charge the patient or their relatives for blood components; if you are asked to pay, you can complain to the provincial health directorate.

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