Blood Donation

Voluntary donors are necessary in order to be able to cover the medically necessary needs. Blood cannot be produced artificially. The donated whole blood is separated into its various components in the manufacturing process. In this way, several patients can often be helped with one blood donation. The blood donation system in Austria works on a voluntary, unpaid basis. In the case of plasma donations, the donor often receives a small expense allowance. The prerequisite for a blood donation is the health of the donor, which must be determined by a doctor.

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Blood donation card and blood test

Donating blood also has advantages for the donor. With every donation, the pulse, blood pressure and blood group are determined, the donor blood is examined for certain pathogens and a corresponding report is made.

Anyone who donates blood receives a personal blood donation card. It shows the ABO blood group and the Rhesus factor. Before donating blood, the donor must be informed about various aspects of the blood donation. You can find more information about the prerequisites and the procedure for a blood donation under blood donation card.

Types of blood donations

According to the Blood Safety Act, blood donation facilities must have a legal permit. When donating whole blood, almost half a liter of blood is taken from the donor's arm vein. The maximum amount of blood and the number of blood donations allowed are different for women and men and are regulated by law. In addition, the filled tubes are brought to the laboratory and subjected to several tests. A healthy body can restore the amount of blood drawn within a few weeks.

In the apheresis procedure, only certain blood components are removed from the donor, e.g. platelets, erythrocytes or plasma. The maximum amount of blood components and the number of apheresis donations allowed are regulated by law.

Where can I donate blood?

Information on the subject of blood donation and the addresses and opening times of blood donation services in your area can be found on the Red Cross website.