Giving blood
To help people who share your roots, donors like you are urgently needed. For example, blood from white donors is often not a good enough match for patients with sickle cell disease. For other conditions, recovery or emergency situations, it is also important that the donor and patient share a similar background.
There is a significant shortage of donors like you, but together we can change that.
Would you like to register as a blood donor?
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To help people who share your roots, donors like you are urgently needed. For example, blood from white donors is often not a good enough match for patients with sickle cell disease. For other conditions, recovery or emergency situations, it is also important that the donor and patient share a similar background.
There is a significant shortage of donors like you, but together we can change that.
Would you like to register as a blood donor?
What does your blood mean?
Your blood is made up of plasma, red blood cells and platelets. These are all components that help patients survive, recover, and fight disease. Blood donation saves lives. In fact, one donation can help up to three people. At some point in their lives, one in four people will need blood to survive or recover. Blood is most compatible with people who share similar roots. Yet there are still far too few donors from your community.
The composition of blood, stem cells and organs is closely linked to genetic background. When donor and patient are not a good match, the immune system can react by producing antibodies. That is why, for example, if you are a Dutch person with Surinamese, Antillean, Turkish, or Moroccan roots and you need blood, the best chance of compatibility is often with a donor who shares your roots.
At present, most registered donors in the Netherlands are of Western European descent. Increasing the number of donors from diverse backgrounds is essential because blood is picky.
Did you know that as a blood donor, you also receive regular health checks, giving you reassurance about your own health and the quality of your blood.
BLOOD DISORDERS: SICKLE CELL DISEASE AND THALASSEMIA
Some blood diseases are more common among people whose heritage traces back to regions where malaria was once widespread. As a result, conditions such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia occur more frequently in people with African, North African, Middle Eastern, or Asian roots. In both conditions, red blood cells are more fragile and less effective at carrying oxygen throughout the body. This can lead to chronic anemia and a wide range of serious health complications.
In the Netherlands, around 300 people live with thalassemia, about half of them are children. Their survival depends on regular blood transfusions. More than 2,000 people in the Netherlands have sickle cell disease. For many of them, ongoing blood transfusions are a vital part of treatment. Each year, between 60 and 80 children are born with sickle cell disease. Without appropriate medical care, 75% would not survive beyond early childhood.
Patients with these conditions rely on blood transfusions that are as closely matched as possible. Currently, the only potential cure is a stem cell transplant. That is why finding the right match is so critical for successful treatment and a cure.
Frequently asked questions
Giving blood is allowed in most religions. The conditions are the same as the medical ones: it must not harm you and you must be healthy.
If you are unsure, contact a pastor, religious leader, or theologian.
If your blood type is needed, you receive an invitation by email.
You then make an appointment at a Sanquin donation center near you and arrive at the scheduled time.
First, you complete a short medical questionnaire, which the donor physician reviews with you.
Your blood pressure and hemoglobin (Hb) level are checked. If everything is in order, you can proceed with the donation.
The donation takes place in a comfortable donation chair. You can choose which arm to use.
The blood collection itself takes about 10 minutes, and a Sanquin staff member monitors you throughout the process to ensure everything goes smoothly.
After donating, you are invited to have something to eat and drink in the donor café, free of charge.
The entire visit takes about an hour.
No. You will feel a brief needle prick when the needle is inserted. It may feel slightly uncomfortable, but it only lasts a second. Once the donation has started, you should not feel any pain. The donation itself takes about 10 minutes. A Sanquin staff member stays with you throughout the process to make sure everything goes smoothly. You will be well cared for.
Yes, you can. If you are afraid of needles, you can discuss this during the intake and medical check. Sanquin staff are experienced in supporting people with needle anxiety. They will take extra time to explain the process and help you feel comfortable. Read more about fear of needles here.
Before you are approved to donate, you undergo a medical screening to ensure that donating is safe for you. After donating, some donors may feel slightly weak or lightheaded for a short time. Sanquin staff are there to monitor you and make sure you feel well before you leave. That is also why you are encouraged to have something to eat and drink in the donor café after your donation, free of charge.
You can register as a donor if you:
are between 18 and 65 years old;
weigh 50 kg or more;
do not have HIV or AIDS;
are not a carrier of hepatitis B or C;
have never had an organ or tissue transplant;
have never injected drugs or performance-enhancing substances;
are able to understand and speak Dutch or English without the assistance of an interpreter or translation app;
are not pregnant at the time of donation.
Smoking or having tattoos does not automatically exclude you.
If you have received a blood transfusion or blood products, eligibility depends on the reason for the transfusion.
These criteria are in place to protect both you as a donor and the patients receiving blood. All donated blood is carefully tested during the medical screening and again at the time of donation. Check here to see when you can or cannot donate blood or plasma.
If your blood type is needed, you will receive an invitation to donate. Men may be invited to donate up to five times per year, and women up to three times per year. You decide whether and when to donate within a two-week period after receiving your invitation.
After donation, your blood is sent to a laboratory, where it is separated into its different components. The white blood cells (part of the immune system) are removed to reduce the risk of side effects in patients. Each component serves a specific medical purpose:
Red blood cells are used for patients with anaemia.
Platelets are used for patients undergoing cancer treatment or experiencing severe bleeding.
Plasma is used in life-threatening situations, such as major blood loss, severe burns, or clotting disorders that require urgent treatment.
Any blood components that are not used directly for patients may be used for diagnostic testing, scientific research or the production of life-saving medicines. This ensures that every donation is used as effectively and responsibly as possible.
You can also watch this video on YouTube for more information.
Sanquin supplies blood cells to hospitals on a non-profit basis.Most plasma is provided to a pharmaceutical company that processes it into life-saving medicines for patients in the Netherlands. Any financial profit is reinvested in research and to improving healthcare.