Donating Blood is a Lifesaving Act

A healthy Filipino has 16 - 18 glasses of blood. Donating 250 - 450 cc. (approximately 1 glass) will not cause any weakness or ill effects.

Giving blood will not take up too much of your time - the whole process just takes 30 minutes.

Advantages of Giving Blood

• When a person donates blood, his bone marrow is stimulated to produce new red blood cells and make his blood-forming organs function more effectively. The young cells generated will mean more effective and active cells. In the same way that a car works better after a "change oil", donating blood will make a person feel better. A healthy person can donate blood every three (3) months with no ill effects.


• A Red Cross donor is given a Blood Donor Card. With this card, the donor will be given priority based on stock availability, in case of blood needs. The blood Donor Card is transferable to family members and friends and has no expiration date.


• Prospective donors who submit themselves to the procedure will be examine by a physician for free. Donors will also know their blood type and know whether they are anemic of not.  Donors will be informed of diseases seen in the blood as the result of the screening tests.

General and Physical Requirements of a Blood Donor

Age. Persons 18 - 60 years old can donate blood. Regular donors can give blood until they are 65 years old. Those aged 16 - 17 may also give blood, with parent's or guardian's consent.

Sex. Both men and women are accepted as donors.

Weight. Must be at least 50 kgs. (110 lbs.)

Temperature. Oral temperature must not exceed 37.5 Degree Celcius.

Pulse. Must be regular between 48 and 100 per minute.

Blood Pressure. Must be between 110 and 200 mm.Hg systolic and 110 mm.Hg diastolic.

Hemoglobin. The level must not be less than 125 gms./100ml.

Excerpted from the brochure "A Guide for Blood Donors" published by the Philippine National Red Cross Blood Program