What to Eat before Donating Blood

In the days before your donation, eat healthy, iron-rich foods such as spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals and raisins. This will help maintain a healthy iron level. The number one reason for deferrals is anemia

Get a good night’s sleep

At least 3 hours before donating, eat a balanced meal and avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries, or ice cream

Drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before the donation; you can be deferred for dehydration

Don’t forget to bring a valid government-issued photo ID, a list of medications you are taking, and a list of places you have visited in the past 3 years

About Blood Donation Day

World Blood Donor Day will once again be celebrated around the world on 14 June. The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and also to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and timely supplies of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products, as an integral part of universal health coverage and a key component of effective health systems.