From party pies to saving lives: the step-by-step guide to giving blood

Did you know a single blood donation only takes about 10 minutes and can save up to three lives? Find out how you can make a difference to those in need.

Rolling up your sleeves to give blood is one of the easiest ways you can save a life, but if you’ve never donated before it might seem a little daunting. To help, we’ve broken the process down into five simple steps, so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive for your first donation.

Step 1: Checking-in.

Welcome to your very first donation! When you arrive at the donor centre, our friendly staff will greet you and ask for your identification — so don’t forget your wallet! Next, you’ll need to complete a confidential questionnaire on the tablet provided. If you'd like to see the questionnaire in advance, here's a sample.

Step 2: Pre-donation screening.

Once the questionnaire is complete, a trained staff member will take you through a routine interview in a private consultation room. They’ll also give you a quick ‘finger prick’ test to confirm your haemoglobin levels and make sure you don’t have low iron.

Step 3: The donation.

Once you are seated in the donor chair, the actual blood donation only takes about 10 minutes. The entire process is quick and easy. A trained staff member will set everything up. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and mentally prepare for the post-donation snacks you’re going to enjoy. If at any point you start to feel uncomfortable or worried, our staff will be right there with you and can stop the donation whenever you want.

Step 4: Party pies and delicious snacks.

After donating, you'll need to rest for a short period. While this is an important part of your post-donation recovery, it’s also a great excuse to treat yourself to a few snacks. Last year, party pies were officially named the most popular snack for our donors, but there’s a huge range of treats to choose from, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Step 5: Enjoy the post donation glow.

Many donors report a ‘warm glow’ post donation. Now, this could be due to a belly full of delicious snacks, but we like to think it’s a feeling you get when you know you’ve made a difference. If you’d like to experience a warm glow, help those in need, or you just want to know what’s so good about these party pies, book a donation today. Step one? Take the online eligibility quiz.