Journey of Giving Blood
Are you donating blood for the first time or returning after a long period of time? Learn more about the whole blood donation process from start to finish here!
Watch our video.
Saving lives starts with you.
Every donation makes a difference. Get to know more about blood donation and how you can help.
Check Your Eligibility
Before you make a trip down for blood donation, it's important to check if you're eligible. Read up on the criteria for your eligibility to find out more.
Book Appointment
Book an appointment before heading down to the Bloodbank to ensure that you minimise waiting time and avoid making a wasted trip.
Volunteer, Contribute, Advocate
You can be part of the Save Lives Movement in many other ways beyond donating blood - volunteer at a bloodbank, contribute to community drives, or advocate for the cause.
General Eligibility Criteria
To donate blood, you must:
- Be in general good health.
- Not have had any symptoms of infection e.g. sore throat, cough, runny nose or diarrhoea for at least 1 week.
- Not have had a fever in the last 4 weeks.
- Not have taken antibiotics for the last 7 days. If you have taken antibiotics, wait at least 1 week from the last dose.
- Weigh at least 45 kg.
- Have a haemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dl for males and 12.5 g/dl for females.
- It may be harmful to you or the recipients if you donate blood when you are not eligible to do so.
If you travelled overseas in the last 4 months, kindly read up on on HSA’s advisory on donating blood after overseas travel.
Visiting or travelling to different regions of the world may make you ineligible to donate blood for a period of time. This is because some infections caught abroad can be transmitted through blood transfusion.
Important: You should not discontinue or stop taking medications prescribed or recommended by your physicians in order to donate blood.
Donation Process
The whole donation process takes an average of 45 minutes to complete:
- Form Filling (5 mins)
Complete the health assessment questionnaire to determine your eligibility for donation. It should be done in private, as it is a personal statement of your medical and social history. - Registration (5 mins)
Your personal particulars will be recorded, and you will be placed in the queue. - Haemoglobin Check (5 mins)
Your haemoglobin level will be measured by a fingerprick test to ensure that you can give blood. The minimum level required is 12.5g/dL for females and at least 13.0g/dL for males. - Medical Screening (10-15 mins)
A medical screener will go through your health assessment questionnaire with you and measure your weight, pulse, blood pressure, and temperature to confirm you are fit for donation. - Blood Donation (10-15 mins)
A nurse will attend to you to make sure you are comfortable before cleaning your arm and applying a local painkiller to ensure you feel minimal pain during the donation process. The actual withdrawal of blood takes about 5 to 10 minutes, and 350-450 ml of blood is collected. - Rest and Refreshment (15 mins)
Light refreshments will be provided while you rest for 10-15 minutes. This is to ensure that you feel well before leaving the blood collection site.
Common Misconceptions about Blood Donation
MYTH
I don’t need to donate because there are enough donors.
FACT
Blood has a limited shelf life! Each year, almost 34,000 patients in Singapore require a safe and steady stream of blood supply to survive. Currently, only about 1.3% of Singapore’s total population are blood donors, and 42% of them donate more than twice a year.
MYTH
Blood donation hurts.
FACT
A local anaesthetic will be administered by trained and competent staff to ensure that you feel minimal pain during the donation. The needle prick will feel like a pinch on the arm.
MYTH
I can’t donate blood if I have tattoos or body piercings.
FACT
If the tattoo or body piercing was done using sterile, single-use, or disposable needles, you can donate.
If you are unsure or if the tattoo or body piercings were not done using sterile, single use, disposable needles, you can donate 3 months after the last tattoo or body piercing procedure.
MYTH
I can only donate blood once each year.
FACT
You can donate up to 4 times a year! There is a waiting period of 12 weeks after each whole blood donation to allow your body sufficient time to replenish your iron stores and build up your haemoglobin level.
MYTH
I won’t have enough blood left if I donate blood.
FACT
Depending on the donor’s weight, only about 8-12% of the body’s total blood volume is collected. With adequate hydration, the blood volume will return to normal level in about 24 hours. Our body will replenish itself with fresh, new blood within a few weeks.
MYTH
I can’t donate blood if I drink or smoke.
FACT
You should not donate blood if you are under the influence of alcohol or intoxicated. This is because you may not be in the best state of mind to provide important details of your health history.
There are no restrictions on smokers donating blood.
Find Our Nearest Blood Banks
With our 5 bloodbanks and community blood drives located near your homes, workplaces, and MRT stations, donating blood has been made easier.
Organise a Blood Drive With Us!
There are two ways to organise a blood donation drive:
Group Booking at Bloodbank
Blood donation drives can be held at any bloodbank, islandwide. Let us know when and at which bloodbank you want to hold your blood drive. We can provide a chartered bus if there are at least 10 participants.
Mobile blood collection site at your premises
If you are hosting a big group of donors (140 or more), we can set up a mobile blood collection site on your premises. We require a clean, spacious room or hall with adequate lighting and ventilation that isn’t too noisy.
To organise your own blood drive or to learn more about organising your own drive.
Before You Donate
How should I prepare for the blood donation? Should I fast or eat specific foods?
Please eat a light meal, drink plenty of water and have a good night’s rest before donation. No fasting is needed before blood donation. Should you feel unwell on the day of donation, take a rest and consider postponing the donation until you feel better. Avoid drinking tea or coffee and consuming calcium-rich foods (milk, cheese, yogurt) with iron-rich meals or iron supplements. Tannins in tea, caffeine in coffee and calcium reduce iron absorption. Have your coffee or tea after your meals.
Bring along
- Official photo identity document (e.g. passport, IC, driver’s license, donor card) with a local residential address
- Signed Parental consent form (if you’re 16 or 17 years old)
After Your Donation
- Maintain an iron-rich diet following your donation to replenish the iron stocks in your body. You should also continue to hydrate yourself throughout the rest of the day.
- You may resume your normal activities. Any strenuous or athletic activity should be postponed until the next day.
Zoom in for our post-donation care tips:
Exclusive Blood Donor Perks
Blood donors can now enjoy a growing list of lifestyle perks from our partner merchants as our way of saying thank you for your life-saving gift!
Haidilao - 20% off food items
📅 Promotion period: From 1st April till 31st December 2026
How to redeem:
- Donate successfully between 2nd January to 31st December 2026 at any Bloodbanks.
- Dining on the same day as your blood donation? Flash your bandaged arm! Dining another day? Present the DonateBlood App to show your blood donation record.
- Enjoy 20% off food items on weekdays (except weekends & Public Holidays)
📝 T&Cs:
- Applicable only to successful blood donors within the stated campaign period.
- Donors must download the DonateBlood app and present it during dine-in to enjoy the promotion.
- Alternatively, blood donation status may be verified with the bandaged arm if dining on the same day of blood donation.
- Limited to one 20% off discount per donor per bill.
Garden Fresh Café (Punggol Coast Mall) – 20% OFF À La Carte Menu
📅 Promotion period: From 11th May till 31st December 2026
How to redeem:
- Donate successfully during the campaign period at any blood bank.
- Dining on the same day as your blood donation? Flash your bandaged arm! Dining another day? Present the DonateBlood App to show your blood donation record.
- Enjoy 20% off à la carte menu items! 🥗
📝 T&Cs:
- Promotion is valid for successful blood donors who donated between 11th May to 31st December 2026, and redemption must be made within the same period, while stocks last.
- Donors must download the DonateBlood app and present it during dine-in to enjoy the promotion.
- Blood donation status can also be verified via a bandaged arm if dining in on the same day of donation.
- Applicable and redeemable only at Garden Fresh outlet, Punggol Coast Mall Tower 98 AT, Punggol Way, #01-219 98, Singapore 829857.
- Not valid in conjunction with other discounts, promotions, or set menus.
- Terms are subject to change.
Download the DonateBlood app
Download the DonateBlood app to manage all your appointments and keep track of your donation history!
Other Ways to Make a Difference in Blood Donation
- Be a volunteer blood ambassador
- Help out at our Blood Collection Centres
- Be part of our engagement team at special events
- Specialist skills and knowledge sharing
To learn more about volunteering with us, email us or check out our Members and Volunteers page.