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Can I give blood? If you’re 17 to 65 and in good health, you probably can. However, there are some exceptions.

Blood types

FAQ: Deceased tissue donation

Find out more about donating tissues after death, who they can help, and the criteria that need to be met.

FAQ: Haematopoietic Stem Cells

Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC) can develop into all types of blood cells, including white blood cells (which help fight off infection); red blood cells (which carry oxygen around the body); and platelets (tiny cellular fragments that help stop bleeding). Find out about how HSC transplants can save lives

Give platelets

One of the four main blood components, platelets stop bruising and bleeding. Many of Scotland's patients need platelet transfusions, including cancer and leukaemia patients, premature babies and emergency admissions.

Muscle tensing exercise card

Doing muscle tensing exercises before , during and after you give blood has been proven to reduce your likelihood of fainting. This quick guide demonstrates what you should do, and for how long.

Neonatal platelet donors

Information for platelet donors who have been identified for neonatal use.

Nerve irritation or injury

This leaflet gives advice on what to do if you have a nerve injury during blood donation, and advice on how to what to do next.

Plasma FAQ

If you are a male blood donor with A or AB blood group, we may sometimes put out a special appeal for you to give blood. This is because the plasma in your blood is the most effective for producing Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP) and Cryoprecipitate (Cryo). Find out more about these components and how they can be used in this FAQ.

Plasma for Medicines Clinician Leaflet

This leaflet provides information on Scotland's Plasma for Medicines Programme.