Last update: June 2023

Sharing all of the bloody details on everything you need to know about donating blood in Barbados. If you're considering donating blood and have some questions on the process here, this post is for you! Included are some Barbados blood donation FAQs, facts and a personal, step by step account of donating blood in Barbados.

This is an updated version of my blog post that I first published in 2016, giving my personal account on donating blood for the first time. Since then, I have become a regular donor and I can't say enough about the lovely team at the Barbados Blood Donation Centre. As a healthy, young Bajan who meets all of the requirements of a blood donor, I can't believe it took me that long to bite the bullet and finally give up a quart of my blood. Through Giving Tuesday Barbados, I now organise annual blood drives and am also working on a social initiative called BloodBud [Stay tuned!].

Our local blood bank is always dangerously low on supply, so if you can donate, please do! Even better: convince someone else to donate blood with you! #bloodbud

Barbados Blood Donation FAQs

When I was trying to arrange my first blood donation, it took some digging to find the answers to some of my questions, which is why I have put together this list of FAQs for you. This list is also based on a flyer that the Blood Collecting Centre has shared with me.

Where can I donate blood in Barbados?

• The Barbados National Blood Collecting Centre is located next to Sir Winston Scott Polyclinic, in Ladymeade Gardens, Jemmots Lane, St. Michael. Here is the Google Map link to the exact location.

• Due to the COVID, the National Blood Collecting Centre has implemented an appointment system. Please book an appointment to donate by calling 429-4307 or 836-7993. 

• The National Blood Collecting Centre continues to operate between 8:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. on weekdays, and 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturdays. Only those who have made an appointment and are scheduled to give blood are allowed to access the centre.

Why should I donate blood in Barbados?

• Barbados has dangerously low rates of voluntary blood donations. According to an article published by Nation News in 2013, less than 200 people are consistent donors in Barbados.

• During hectic times of the year [such as the annual carnival, Crop Over, and the holidays] fewer people come to the centre, making the deficit even more critical.

• The Blood Collection Centre needs a minimum of 25 units of blood daily and along with whole blood donation there is also a need for plasma and platelet donation.

• Blood lasts only 42 days after donation, so regular donors are essential for sustainability!

Why don't more people donate blood in Barbados?

• Blood donation is voluntary in Barbados.

• The truth is, it is just not really part of the Barbados culture to donate blood without knowing someone personally who needs blood.

• Most people in Barbados only give blood when a relative, colleague or friend is ill, pregnant, or if they were involved in an accident.

• However, there are many people campaigning and trying to change that, such as the Blood Donors of Barbados Facebook Group and the Drops of Love Initiative.

• The US National Library of Medicine published this paper on knowledge, attitudes and practices towards blood donation in Barbados, and discusses strategies for a voluntary blood donor mobilisation campaign in Barbados.  

• Apparently, single, female and younger participants were less likely to donate blood. 

Who needs blood in Barbados?

• Accident and trauma victims

• Cancer patients

• Haemophiliacs

• People with blood disorders and low blood count

• Pregnant women (during or after childbirth)

• People undergoing surgery

Who is eligible to donate blood in Barbados?

• Any healthy person between the ages of 18-70 years old

• Any national OR non national of Barbados - visitors can donate too!

• Minimum weight of 110 lbs

• Have not had a tattoo or piercing in the past 12 months

• Have not had a COVID vaccine or booster in the past 3 months

• Must not be pregnant or nursing

• Have not had major dental work in the past 3 days

• You are not be taking any antibiotics

• Not diabetic (taking insulin)

• Not have any existing infections, serious illnesses or medical problems

• Please call the Barbados Blood Collecting Centre if you have any specific questions concerning your eligibility - 429-4307 or 836-7993.

• Anyone who has not consumed alcohol 24 hours prior to donating

Do not donate blood if your lifestyle puts you at risk. This applies to you if you:

• Have travelled to high risk countries such as Mexico, India and Belize [This list is always changing depending on malaria, etc. so please contact the Barbados Blood Collecting Centre if you have any specific questions concerning your eligibility regarding foreign travel - 429-4307 or 836-7993]

• Had more than one sexual partner in the past six months

• Had sexual contact with someone whose sexual background is unknown to you

• Have or may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as HIV or syphillis, that can be passed on to a patient through your blood.

Is donating blood in Barbados safe?

Absolutely! Sterile, single use and disposable equipment is used for each donation and then safely discarded. It is not possible to contract any disease from donating blood.

How often can I donate blood in Barbados?

In Barbados you can donate blood every 2 months, up to 6 times per year. Platelets can be donated more often than blood.

Will my blood be tested?

All blood collected is tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, HTLV 1, and Syphilis. Another test is also done to determine the blood type and group.

Will I know the results of the test?

Only if there is a positive result will you be notified of your test results.

What should I do before donating blood?

• Eat a hearty meal before donating!

• Never attempt to donate on an empty stomach

• Drink plenty of water before donating

• I recommend eating a roti from Ackee Tree, as they are one of the very few companies in the island that support local blood donation by offering a free drink with your meal once you show your blood donor card.

What should I do after donating blood?

• Increase your fluid intake for 24-48 hours

• Avoid strenuous activities and physical exercise for the rest of the day

• There must be no smoking or intake of alcohol for at least 4 hours after donating (You'll also be a cheap date that night!)

How much blood is taken?

450ml, which is slightly less than one pint.

Will I feel faint after donating?

No, under normal circumstances, you should feel fine. Be sure to eat a hearty meal before donating.

How long does the process take?

• As outlined in my personal account below, the entire process should take less than an hour (Pre COVID)

• Avoid strenuous activities and physical exercise for the rest of the day

• There must be no smoking or intake of alcohol for at least 4 hours after donating (You'll also be a cheap date that night!)

How long does my body take to replace what I donated?

• You plasma volumes will return to normal in about 24 hours, while your red blood cells are replaced by bone marrow into the circulatory system within 3-5 weeks. Lost iron is replaced in 6-8 weeks.

Note: This is my personal experience of donating blood in Barbados, pre COVID. Please call the Barbados Blood Collecting Centre if you have any specific questions concerning donating blood, and if you would like to book an appointment to donate - 246 429-4307 or 246 836-7993

My personal account on donating blood in Barbados:

Why have I never donated blood before 2016? I don't really have an answer to that. My mother is a regular blood donor, so donating blood is always something I've felt that I 'should' do, but never really got around to it. It was only recently when someone near and dear to me needed blood that I finally looked into donating blood. My mind was been blown by the dire situation in Barbados, I'm writing this blog post in a bid to encourage more people to donate blood on a consistent basis.  Expect lots of bloody puns.

Here is a breakdown of the process that I first experienced when donating blood in Barbados:

Step 1: Registration

I waited for about 5 minutes in the waiting room before being asked to come in to the first screening room.  A very friendly nurse took down some info and asked me some questions about my medical history, etc., as well as who I was donating for.  If you're not donating for someone in particular, then you can still donate. Though she did ask me for my identification number, but I didn't have to show proof of address. Just to clarify: Any visitor or non national to the island can donate blood.

Following the registration, the nurse took a tiny pin prick of blood from my finger to test it before we continued on to the other room. This was painless!

Time: A total of 15 minutes. 

Step 2: Donation Room

Once registration was finished and my blood was tested, I was then led in to a bright room with 6 beds. Every bed was occupied by someone donating blood. I was placed next to a guy who was also donating for the first time, and his animated play by play made everyone around us laugh. He was clearly nervous but he took it like a champ despite the nurses teasing him!

Step 3: Donation

The nurse took my blood pressure and then inserted the needle into my right arm, as I squeezed a ball to keep the blood flowing. This was pretty painless, though I did look away as she inserted the needle as it felt a bit uncomfortable.

They removed the needle and took away the bag of blood. At this point I felt a little woozy, so they tilted my bed back (to help get some blood flowing to my head) and put a damp paper towel on my forehead. I was asked to drink some juice and eat a cookie to get some sugar in my system.

Time: The extraction took about 15 minutes total.

Step 4: All done!

Within 5 minutes I felt perfectly fine, though I chilled on the bed for another 20 minutes. The team was really friendly and making everyone laugh, which helped everyone relax as they donated. 

Step 4: A total of 20 minutes.

Update: Since my first time, it doesn't take me as long to donate. I no longer feel woozy as I always make sure to eat a hearty lunch before donating now, which makes things a lot easier and faster.

In Summary:

In total, I spent less than an hour in the clinic.

I was told to come back the following week to receive my donor card, which I still have today.

Before I left, I asked the team to show me where all of the blood is stored - because who doesn't want to see a fridge full of blood? Thankfully, they happily obliged!

With the demand of blood due to increase over the festive season, I encourage those who are eligible to consider donating blood or doing it more often if you've already done so. If you're a donor, try to inspire and motivate your friends to donate blood and help them realise the profound impact they can have on someone’s life. The decision to become a safe blood donor means that you commit to participating in a vital community service that ultimately improves the quality of life for many in Barbados.