On Thursday, September 27, and Friday, September 28, a mobile blood drive by blood-donation bus will be held in front of the Palaceside Building's west entrance. On the first day, the 27th, a marrow-bank donor registration session will also take place at the site. (The photo above is from September 27 last year.)
Reception hours are 10:00–11:00 a.m. and 12:15–4:00 p.m. The blood draw itself takes about 10 minutes, but with a doctor's interview and other steps, the whole process from reception to finish takes 30 to 40 minutes.
Those who take part will later receive by mail, free of charge, results for 15 tests including ALT (GPT), γ-GTP, cholesterol and glycoalbumin.
The Japanese Red Cross says donors need at least four hours of sleep (fatigue from lack of sleep can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure and a feeling of unwellness after donation). Those donating in the morning are asked to eat breakfast (a light meal is fine).
Some medications may rule out donation, but others — for example certain antihypertensives (no heart complications and blood pressure in a near-normal range), vitamins (except when treating anemia with vitamins), mineral supplements (except when treating anemia with iron), and kampo medicines (except when treating liver disease, colds, asthma and the like) — may still allow donation on the day they are taken. Please ask on the day.
People who have had a blood transfusion or organ transplant, who have returned from overseas within four weeks, or who have had dental treatment involving bleeding within three days cannot donate. In particular, anyone who may have been exposed to HIV, or who wants a test, must never donate blood.
Past donors should bring a donor card or donor handbook; others should bring identification such as an employee ID.
Donor registration hours are 10:00–10:40 a.m. and 12:15–3:40 p.m. Registration, including an explanation and form, takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Eligible people are 18 to 54 years old, weighing at least 45 kilograms for men and 40 kilograms for women.
For other questions, please ask at the desk on the day.
We ask for the cooperation of as many people as possible.