Promoting blood and bone marrow donation
We promote a donation culture in Russia
Donation is historically one of the priorities of the Russian Red Cross. During the Great Patriotic War, thanks to the work of the Russian Red Cross, the donor movement became widespread. Over 700 thousand liters of blood were sent to the front. Now the Russian Red Cross together with its partners promotes donation in Russia.
It is not only about blood donation, but also bone marrow donation. This is now a priority area for donor development.
Our task is to popularize HLA typing, form and fill the Federal register of potential bone marrow donors. For many patients with cancer and hematologic diseases the only chance to save life is the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells. This can save lives of children and adults with cancer, leukemia, lymphoma or hereditary diseases. Bone marrow donation is free, voluntary and anonymous all over the world.
The Russian Red Cross has become a reliable partner for the state and society in developing a culture of responsible and regular donation through its network of regional branches, established ties with NPOs and local executive authorities, as well as many years of experience in providing coordinated work.Popular questions about donation
There are contraindications to donation. There are absolute contradictions which don't depend on the age of the disease and results of treatment. And there are also temporary contradictions: they are time-limited. Absolute contraindications include diseases like HIV infection, syphilis, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, oncological diseases, and others. Temporary contraindications have different time limits depending on the reason. The most common contraindications are: tooth extraction (10 days), tattooing, piercing or acupuncture treatment (1 year), angina, flu, acute respiratory infections (1 month after recovery), menses (5 days), abortion (6 months), pregnancy and lactation period (1 year after delivery, 3 months after lactation ends), vaccinations (add a period).
Whole blood may be given no more than 5 times a year for men and no more than 4 times a year for women, with intervals of at least 60 days between blood donations.
Separate blood components may be donated more frequently. Platelets - 12 times a year with an interval of 14 days. But if you donate regularly (more than 10 times a year) for several years, the recommended intervals between donations are 2-3 months.
Don't forget to get the following documents from the front desk (a manager):
- A certificate of exemption from work on the day of blood donation and an extra day off.
- A medical record statement.
- A donor examination certificate. It is issued if you were not allowed to donate blood for medical reasons, or allowed but not drawn for technical reasons. The certificate is the basis for release from work for the time you spent on examination in the blood service facility, with preservation of your average salary.
Just after you have donated blood, sit relaxed for 10-15 minutes. If you feel dizzy or weak, call the medical staff. Refrain from smoking for one hour before and after blood donation. Do not remove your bandage for 3-4 hours, make sure it does not get wet.
Within a day you gave blood, refrain from drinking alcohol and physical activity. Try to eat and drink plenty of food and water for two days.
Vaccinations are allowed not earlier than 10 days after donation.
You must not drink alcohol 48 hours before your visit to a transfusion station, take medications containing aspirin and analgesics 72 hours before your visit, and smoke one hour before the procedure. The day before blood donation and on the day of the procedure it is forbidden to eat fatty, fried, spicy and smoked food, sausages, meat, fish and dairy products, eggs and oil (including vegetable oil), chocolate, nuts and dates.
On the morning of blood donation, you should have a light breakfast, and immediately before the procedure a donor should have a sweet tea.
Before donating blood, get a good night's sleep and do not plan to do anything mentally or physically demanding that day.
A person can donate blood if he is a legally capable citizen over 18 years of age, with permanent or temporary registration in a given region, weighing at least 50 kg, with no absolute or temporary contraindications, and previously prepared to donate blood.