A blood donor can be anyone, aged 18 to 65, weighing at least 50 kg. The day before the blood donation the donor should not drink alcohol, eat fatty foods, eat healthy food and drink plenty of fluids. You may donate blood if at least nine weeks have passed since your last donation. Women may donate blood four times a year, while men - six times (after the sixth time, men should have a break of three months). Before donating blood you should rest and have a good night's sleep. Donors should remember that when donating blood you should bring along a document providing proof of identity and your bank account details. International students who have Latvian residency permits with a Latvian Personal Code may donate blood. 

What is the benefit to the donor when they donate blood?

The blood-making system in your body is stimulated and the composition of your blood is renewed. Specialists emphasise that blood donors are less likely to contract acute illnesses and donating blood should not be harmful to a healthy person. Donating blood evokes positive emotions as you could be helping someone in need. When you donate blood you can find out your blood group, Rh factor, pulse frequency, blood pressure and haemoglobin level. A quick Hepatitis C Antibody Test is conducted before every blood donation. The donor can get the results of the analysis in the next five days following the blood donation.