What happens when I give blood?
The process of giving blood
Before giving blood
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1
Sign up to save lives
- If you haven't given blood before (or haven't given for a while), you can sign up online or over the phone.
- To sign up online, just click the 'Register' button (or the little red head icon if you're using a phone or tablet) at the top right of this website, and fill in the form. As soon as you've registered you can use the online account to make your first appointment.
- You can also telephone us to register and make an appointment on 0345 90 90 999.
- We'll put your name, address and date of birth on the blood donor database.
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2
We'll write
- If you live in a city with a donor centre, we'll invite you to give blood soon after. You must leave twelve weeks between donations, so after that, we'll get in touch when you can give blood again.
- If you give blood in your community, we'll invite you to your next local blood donor session. After that we'll get in touch when we're in your area.
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3
Get ready
- As part of our invite, we send a donor health check form, which goes through your medical, lifestyle and travel history. Fill it in and bring it with you - it'll save time when you arrive. However, if you lose it or it gets damaged, that's fine - just come along anyway.
- On the day, check you're feeling fit and rested. Give yourself plenty of time to avoid rushing.
- In the three hours before you give blood, eat something salty or savoury, and drink three glasses of water.
- If you have any questions about your health, travel or lifestyle (or need to cancel or rearrange your appointment), give the donor advice line a quick ring on 0345 90 90 999
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4
More information
Before coming to your first session please take a look at our Donor Information Leaflet and sample Donor Health Check Form. You can also have a look at our post-donation card.