Frequently asked questions

* The minimum interval between donations varies by centre policy, from a maximum of 3 months to the legal minimum of 8 weeks.
The minimum interval between two plasma donations is 14 days, and between two platelet donations 28 days.

In general, you can donate if you are aged 18–60, weigh 50–130 kg, are in good health and meet the medical criteria. The screening doctor makes the final decision.

No. In Romania, a standard amount of approximately 450 ml is collected.

You must wait at least 6 months after a tattoo or piercing.

Under current practice in Romania, you cannot donate during your period or in the first 5 days after it ends. This is one of the criteria we are working to update so that donation is allowed if the donor feels well and is not being investigated for problems such as very heavy periods or endometriosis.

Under current practice in Romania, donation is allowed 12 months after giving birth, or 18 months if the mother is breastfeeding. This is one of the criteria we are working to update based on European practice, where the interval is 6 months after giving birth.

It depends on the medication and the reason for treatment. Always tell the screening doctor about any treatment you are taking or have taken recently.

YES! You should not donate on an empty stomach. Eat a substantial meal, but avoid foods that are excessively high in fat (avocado, ice cream, pork fat, etc.).

Do not drink alcohol in the 48 hours before donating.

You need a valid identity document. If you have a donor card, bring it too.

Approximately 450 ml is collected during a whole blood donation.

The blood collection itself takes around 7–10 minutes. The entire visit takes longer and varies depending on how busy the centre is that day.

Sit or lie down, preferably with your legs raised, until the feeling passes. If you are still at the centre, tell the staff.

The legal minimum interval between 2 whole blood donations is 56 days (8 weeks) for both men and women. However, all centres recommend at least 75 days between donations for men and 92 days for women, and some centres enforce these limits.

The minimum interval between two plasma donations is 14 days, and the minimum interval between 2 platelet donations is 28 days.

Men can donate blood up to 5 times a year, and women up to 4 times a year.

This is a donation procedure in which blood is drawn from the donor's arm and filtered to retain only plasma (plasmapheresis) or platelets (cytapheresis), while the remaining blood components are returned to the donor.

Because of this process, the procedure takes longer: 45–50 minutes.