Did you know that in México of people depend on blood donations to survive? Donating blood can help:

Save lives: Donated blood is used to treat patients with conditions such as leukemia, anemia, hemophilia, and cancer, as well as accident victims and those undergoing emergency surgery. Each blood donation can save up to three lives.

Improve health: Blood donation also has benefits for the donor, such as reducing the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. In addition, it helps maintain healthy iron levels in the blood and promotes the renewal of blood cells.

An act of altruism: Donating blood is an act of love and solidarity that can have a significant impact on other people’s lives. It is a simple way to make a big difference in the world.

Requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old and under 65 years old.
• Weigh at least 50 kg and be at least 1.50 m tall.
• Fast for at least 4 hours.
• If you are feeling unwell or have any other symptoms (pain, fever, fatigue, etc.), you should postpone your donation.
• Do not be taking antibiotics. If you have taken any, wait 7 days before donating.
• If you are currently taking any medication, please inform the doctor who will be conducting your evaluation so that they can determine whether you are eligible to donate.
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages for at least 72 hours prior to donation.
• Do not use intravenous drugs or be under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, marijuana, inhalants, or any other intoxicating substance.
• You must not be pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You must not have had any tattoos, piercings, or acupuncture treatments in the past 12 months.

Current regulations establish clear and specific criteria for when you are ineligible to donate blood—either temporarily or permanently—which are part of the clinical evaluation and will be discussed with you.

Stages of the donation process:

• Identification: You must present a valid official ID (National ID card, passport, or professional license). If you do not have one of these, you will not be able to donate.
• Clinical evaluation: This is conducted prior to donation and consists of a medical interview and physical examination; once completed, it must be signed by you and the physician who performed it.
• Laboratory evaluation: This takes place in two phases:
  
  Phase 1: Prior to donation, primarily hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are checked to determine at that time whether to proceed with the donation process.
  Phase 2: The donated blood is processed and fractionated. Tests are performed to identify the blood type, Rh factor, and to screen for antibodies to syphilis, hepatitis B and C, HIV, Chagas disease, and any other tests deemed necessary according to the determinations of the regulatory authority or the blood bank.
  
  
• Self-exclusion: If, after answering a few simple questions about your lifestyle and sexual practices, you decide that your blood is not suitable for donation, or if the doctor finds your answers to be unclear, your donation will be rejected in accordance with current regulations.

Informed consent to donate is one of the most important legal requirements for donating blood, so we ask that you read it carefully (if you have any questions, please ask the doctor to clarify them for you).

The Blood Bank is required to inform you if any of your test results reveal an abnormality that is significant to your health. A positive test result for any blood-borne disease will result in your exclusion as a donor, the destruction of the products obtained from your donation, and notification of the results to the Health Authority. All your information will be handled in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act.

What should I do after donating blood?

• You should rest for about 10–15 minutes; after that, you will be offered a snack.
• You should drink plenty of fluids over the next 24 hours.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for two hours after donating.
• You should avoid hot environments or strenuous physical activity, at least until the next day.
• Please notify the Blood Bank of any adverse reactions following the donation.