How to prepare to donate blood
No special preparations are needed to donate blood. You do not need to know your blood group or undergo blood tests in advance. You are welcome as you are!
Are you donating blood for the first time?
If you are donating blood for the first time, you can start by testing whether you are eligible to be a donor. After that, you can book an appointment. Donors may be able to give blood without booking an appointment in advance if there is sufficient capacity at the donation point.
First-time donors should allow about an hour for donation. If possible, please arrive well in advance of the closing time, and try not to book the last appointment of the day so that you will have time to rest and enjoy a coffee in peace after donating.
Please fill out the health questionnaire before every donation
Please complete the electronic health questionnaire on the day of your appointment or, at the earliest, on the day before.
The blood donor’s health questionnaire must be completed before each donation. The health questionnaire and nurse’s interview are designed to ensure your safety and the safety of the blood recipient. Please answer accurately and honestly.
On the day of donation
Eat and drink as usual on the day of donation, but avoid heavy meals just before donation.
Avoid heavy, sweat-inducing exercise just before donating. This will ensure that your fluid balance will be the best possible when you arrive to donate.
Bring ID with you to donate blood: your driving licence, passport, or government-issued ID card. A mobile driving licencen, a professional driver’s qualification card and a residence permit card are also accepted as ID. If the identity document does not contain a Finnish personal identity code, separate proof of your identity code will also be required (such as a Kela card or a certificate from the Local Register Office, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency or a certificate of personal ID code from the Finnish Tax Administration).
