Today, June 14, Donor Day is celebrated all over the world. It is volunteers who donate blood who save the lives of millions of people. This issue is especially relevant during the war. In this article, we will talk about what you need to know to become the same savior.

According to the World Health Organization, donors collect more than 80 million doses of blood each year. This is what saves thousands of people every day. A special project with a name was created for Ukrainians «DonorUA». With this, everyone can get all the necessary information to become a donor.

Who can become a donor

There are some rules in the world that regulate the processes of donating blood and its components. According to medical rules, a donor can be any healthy person over the age of 18 who weighs more than 50 kg.

What are the contraindications to donation

According to the WHO, a healthy person who can become a donor can be someone who does not have so-called “temporary" and “absolute" contraindications. If there are such contraindications, donation can harm a person. More about them below.

Temporary contraindications are a ban on donating blood that has a certain validity period, obtained as a result of recent illness or other life circumstances. For example, if you have recently had a fever or a piercing or tattoo, you will not be allowed to draw blood for some time. The full list of temporary contraindications can be found at the link.

Absolute contraindications are a ban on lifelong blood donation caused by certain diseases. For example, if you suffer from cardiovascular disease, diabetes or HIV, you will unfortunately not be able to become a donor. The full list of absolute contraindications can be found at the link.

How to prepare for blood sampling and its components

If you have no contraindications, it is very important to properly prepare for the blood sampling process. One of the most important rules is not to drink alcohol 48 hours before the procedure. You should also eat right without fatty, salty and smoked foods. Breakfast before the procedure should also be light and nutritious. All the nuances you need to know can be found at thislink.

How to become a donor

Currently, there is no rule in Ukraine that requires blood to be donated only at the place of residence. That is why you can become a donor in any city of our country, regardless of residence or actual place of residence. To hand in, you must have a passport and identification code (if it is an ID card – an extract of the place of registration).

The full list of Blood Transfusion Stations in Ukraine where sampling takes place can be found at the link.

Importantly! Before visiting a center, you should clarify the need for blood. But, as practice shows, during the war there is a shortage of blood almost always.

Privileges of donation

The following practice exists in Ukraine: people who donate blood or its components will receive a monetary reward from the state. In 2022, it is 90 hryvnias. In addition, each donor receives a relevant document, according to which he has the right to receive 1 day off, either from work (while maintaining the average daily earnings), or from training, or from military service. For working people, this day off can be attached to leave or can be used on any day during the year after the day of blood donation. The same privileges apply directly to the day of blood collection.

The Association of Ambulatory Medicine calls on all Ukrainians who have the opportunity to become donors, because, above all, it is honorable and extremely humane. Let's save lives together!