The availability of blood and the products that can be produced from blood is an essential part of our health care system.
Without an efficient and well supplied blood donation scheme many of the procedures we take for granted from the medical services could not take place. We tend to take it for granted that if we are severely injured and require a transfusion that suitable blood will be available as easily as water from the kitchen tap. Blood and its components are essential for surgery as well as for the treatment of many cancers and immune system deficiencies. A number of restrictions do apply. These are gone through fully with the nurse at the start of each blood donation session. The assessment at the donation centre is completely confidential. In particular the questions are designed to help prevent the transmission of infection, which includes diseases such as HIV (AIDS), malaria, glandular fever and even the common cold. Tattooing, body piercing or acupuncture, if done within the previous 12 months, are examples of reasons why you might be declined for donation. | 
