What you must know to donate blood

Making donation safe for you, and for those who receive your donation.

Canada’s blood supply is recognized as one of the safest in the world. Safety is paramount in everything we do, because lives depend on it. 

Before you donate...

Have something to eat in the hours before you donate. Avoid fatty foods such as bacon or fried foods.
You will complete a questionnaire.
Drink at least 500 ml of water and eat a salty snack just before donating.
We will confirm your identity.
We will check your:
  • hemoglobin with a finger stick test
  • temperature
We may check your blood pressure.

While you donate…

The needle used during your donation is sterile, used only once and then discarded.
We will collect about 450 ml of blood.
The collection process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
We will ask you to do muscle tensing exercises while you donate and before getting up.
Please alert a member of our team if you are not feeling well during your donation.

After you donate...

We will apply a pressure bandage on your arm.
You are encouraged to stay in the refreshment area for about 15 minutes to re-hydrate and have a snack. If you feel faint sit down and rest for a few minutes with your head between your knees or lie down.

After you leave the donor centre...

Continue to drink plenty of fluids such as water or juice (avoid alcoholic beverages) throughout the rest of your day.
When you get home, remove the bandage and wash the donation area with soap and water to prevent a rash.
You should avoid strenuous activity for six to eight hours and heavy lifting for 24 hours after giving blood.
If you feel faint and you are driving, pull over. Resume driving only when you have fully recovered or call for help.
Jobs that expose you to risk (such as bus drivers and heavy equipment operators) may also require some time off.

Potential risks of donating blood

A small number of donors may:

Feel tired for a day or two.
Develop a bruise, redness or a rash at the needle site:
  • Apply ice on and off if there is swelling.
  • Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain.
Feel faint, dizzy and/or nauseated.
Faint and/or have muscle spasms.
Suffer nerve damage, arm pain or numbness:
  • Apply ice on and o if there is swelling.
  • Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain.

Consult a health care provider if any of these symptoms persist or are concerning to you.

Contact us at 1 888 2 DONATE (1.888.236.6283) if:

You forgot to tell us something related to your health, travel history or lifestyle.
You decide your donation should not be used for any reason.
You experience an adverse reaction (for more information see section on Adverse reactions).
You get sick or have diarrhea in the week after donating.
In the next two weeks you are told by a health care provider that you have West Nile virus or Zika virus.
In the next year, you are told by a health care provider that you have hepatitis or HIV.