Donate Safe!

 Ever wondered if your the right person to donate blood? If your eating right and how you need to carry forward? First time donor and all confused? Donated before but still managed to get yourself a bit dizzy?  
Well so was I, so I decided to make a few guidelines for myself and would be delighted to share them with you! 

So here goes:

1. Make sure you  are above 18 and eligible to donate blood. You need to weigh  at least 110 pounds or 50 kgs. Make sure you do not have a cold, cough, virus or stomach flu.

2. Avoid donating blood after going to the dentist- Wait 24 hrs prior if you've had a minor procedure. If its a major one, wait for a month.

3.Get a good nights sleep.

Prior to Donating:

1. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of juice or water 24 hrs leading to donating time. Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks, it causes your body to expel water.

2.Eat 3 hrs prior to the donation

3. Avoid aspirin and other pills two days prior to donation

4. Avoid smoking and alcohol

What you must eat two weeks prior to donating:

• Bread, Muffins and Cereal
• Organ meals, Shellfish, Red meats, Fish and Poultry
• Seeds and Nuts,  Beans and Eggs
• Watermelons, Strawberries and Bananas
• Raisins, Dates, Prunes, Figs and Dried Apricots
• Prunes Juice, Tomato Juice and Apple Juice
• Dark Leafy Greens
• Pizza

After Donation:

1.Drink plenty of water

2. Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about 5 hrs after donation.

3. If you feel dizzy lie down with feet raised

4. Enjoy the good feeling that comes with knowing that you may have saved at least 3 lives.

blog by Sue-Ellen Pereira (Associate English Editor)