On Tuesday, September 26 and Wednesday, September 27, a blood-donation bus will visit the west entrance of Palaceside Building for a mobile blood drive. (The photo is from September 21, 2016.)
Palaceside Building holds a mobile drive twice a year, in spring and autumn. This is the second of the year, following the spring session.
On both days, reception is 10:00–11:00 in the morning and 12:15–16:00 in the afternoon. The draw itself takes about 10–15 minutes, but with the doctor’s interview and other steps, plan on 30–40 minutes from check-in to finish.
On the 26th a window for bone-marrow donor registration will also be set up beside the blood-drive desk. Hours: 10:00–10:45 a.m. and 12:15–3:30 p.m. Registration, including explanation and filling out the form, takes about 5–10 minutes. Eligible people are 18–54 years old, weighing at least 45 kilograms for men and 40 kilograms for women. If you are interested, please stop by.
Donors later receive by mail, free of charge, results for 15 tests including ALT (GPT), γ-GTP, cholesterol and glycoalbumin.
The Japanese Red Cross asks donors to have had at least four hours of sleep (fatigue from lack of sleep can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure and feeling unwell after donation). Those donating in the morning are asked to have breakfast (a light meal is fine).
People who have received a transfusion or organ transplant, who returned from overseas within the past four weeks, or who had dental treatment involving bleeding within the past three days cannot donate. Anyone who may have been exposed to HIV, or who wants a blood test for that purpose, must not donate.
Some people taking certain medicines cannot donate, but many medicines are compatible. For example: hay-fever medicines are generally acceptable the same day except those containing steroids; blood-pressure medicines are acceptable if there are no cardiac complications and pressure is controlled in the normal range; lipid-lowering drugs are acceptable the same day; gout medicines are acceptable if not taken that day. Please confirm at reception on the day.
Previous donors are asked to bring a donor card or booklet; first-timers, photo ID (a company badge is fine).
Please ask on the day about any other questions.
We hope as many people as possible will take part.