Blood Transfusion Service

Dear Blood Donor,

Thank you for donating blood today. Your valued donation is a vital contribution to our community, and we sincerely hope that you have found it a worthwhile experience. We would like to advise you to read carefully the following points for care after blood donation. If you have any enquiry regarding post-donation matters, please call (insert the telephone number and time when this service is available).

Over the next 48 hours:

• Drink plenty of fluids to replenish the volume lost during donation.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights with the donation arm or participating in strenuous physical activities or sports after donation to prevent bruising of the venepuncture site and dizziness.

If you feel dizzy, unwell or have cold sweats:

• Take a seat or lie down immediately, preferably with your feet raised, until the feeling passes.
• Loosen any restrictive garments and keep breathing smoothly.
• Keep calm and take slow and long deep breaths.
• Seek assistance from any passer-by or people near you.
• If the condition does not improve or for any reason something doesn't feel right, call the number provided above.

Care for the venepuncture site:

• In uncommon situations where fresh bleeding occurs after the plaster is removed, put gentle pressure on the venepuncture site, raise your arm for 3–5 minutes and apply a bandage to the site. The bandage or the dressing can be removed after 5 hours.
• If you notice bruising around the venepuncture site, it is usually caused by bleeding into the tissue underneath the skin. It will usually resolve in a week's time. If you feel pain or discomfort, applying a cold compress to the area may help.
• If the venepuncture site becomes swollen or blue or you experience pain or numbness in the donation arm, please call (insert telephone number) for advice or consult a doctor.