1. Blood and Donation Facts
Canadian Blood Services
Training and Orientation 2009

2. What is Blood? Specialized cells suspended in plasma
Constantly circulating throughout body
Carries oxygen and nourishment to cells and removes waste products
Supports body’s immune system and capacity to heal itself

3. Components of Blood: Whole blood contains 4 main elements:
Red blood cells – carry oxygen to tissue
Platelets – used in coagulation (clotting)
Plasma – maintains blood volume and blood pressure, and prevents excessive bleeding
White blood cells – fight infection

4. Blood Types Blood Types and Patient/Donor Compatibilities
Blood Type (Donor)
% of Blood Type Amongst all Canadians
Patient Types Compatible with the Red Blood Cells of Donor
Patient Types Compatible with the Plasma of Donor (Rh not indicated) A+ 36
A+, AB+
A, O A- 6
A-, A+, AB-, AB+ O+ 39
O+, A+, B+, AB+ O O- 7
All Blood Types B+
7.6
B+, AB +
B, O B-
1.4
B-, B+, AB-, AB+
AB+
2.5
AB-
0.5
AB-, AB+
There are four main blood types: A, B, O, AB.
Essentially, O+ most common blood type, AB- is rarest.

5. Blood Types 15% of all Canadians are Rh negative
O- is the universal blood donor
AB is the universal blood recipient
O and A blood groups are always in high demand but all are needed
There is no ‘best’ blood type

6. What It Takes To Give Giving blood only takes about one hour
Average person has about 5 – 6 Litres of Blood
Normal collection is one unit (450 mL)
How often you are eligible to donate:
Plasma – 1 week
Platelets – 2 weeks
Red blood cells – 56 days
There’s also 150mL of blood taken in addition tot he 450mL as the sample that CBS will test, so a total of 600mL is collected.

7. What It Takes To Give II:
Identification: Identification with full name and picture such as a driver’s license.
Age: Between 17 and 71 birthday (regular donor), or between 17 and 61 birthday (first-time donor).
Weight: At least 50 kg (110 lbs)
Frequency: Interval between whole blood donations is 56 days
Anyone older than the upper boundary in the age limits can speak to their doctor if they still wish to donate.

8. What It Takes To Give III:
You should be in good health and feel well
You should have had something to eat and had adequate sleep
You must also meet hemoglobin (iron) requirements (test done at clinic)
At the time of donation, you will be asked a number of questions to determine your eligibility

9. What It Takes To Give IV:
If you have
You must wait before donating
Had dental treatment
(extractions, fillings, cleaning, restoration)
For cleaning or filling: until the day after treatment
For extraction, root canal or dental surgery: 72 hours provided there is full recovery
A cold, flu or sore throat
Full recovery
Had ear or body piercing or tattooing
6 months
The purpose of these restrictions is to make sure that you are absolutely healthy enough to donate so that you suffer minimal side-effects. CBS wants to ensure the best possible experience for all of its donors so that they will return after a positive experience. We do not want to risk the donor’s health, so precautions are taken to the best of our abilities.

10. Uses of Blood Platelets – cancer patients, hemophiliacs, etc.
Red cells – anemia patients, cancer patients, trauma patients etc.
Plasma – serious burns, shock, cancer, bone marrow therapy, etc.

11. How Much Blood Is Needed…
Fractured hip/Joint replacement – 2 to 5 units
Auto accident/Gunshot wound – up to 50 units
Cancer treatment – up to 8 units per week
Bleeding ulcer – 3 to 30 units
Brain surgery – 4 to 10 units
Cardiovascular surgery – 2 to 25 units
Liver transplant – up to 100 units

12. The Donation Process
Photo identification is presented to the receptionist.
First time donors will be given a “First Time Donor” sticker to inform nurses to be more attentive.
Iron levels are checked when there is an available nurse.
A series of questions are provided on the back of the donor’s information printout to check eligibility.

13. The Donation Process II
The donor must read the information presented about testing for diseases, HIV symptoms, etc.
A nurse takes the donor into a private room where more questions are asked about the donor to further check eligibility.
Temperature and blood pressure are measured in the room.
Lastly, a ‘Yes, use my blood,’ or ‘No, don’t use my blood’ sticker is available for donors to put on their information sheet in private, without the nurse present.
**The actual ‘needle in arm’ time is about 5 minutes.