When we are participating in Blood Donation, we know that our blood goes to other people who need it. However, some of us might have wondered: what if the person that needs the blood is me? Can I donate my blood just for my personal use when I need it someday? Turns out that such auto blood donation like that exists, and the donor is called Autologous donor, as opposed from the common blood donor who donates for other people. Usually, someone use this type of Blood Donation to save some blood supply when he or she is scheduled for a surgery.

Donating blood for oneself is required if he or she is facing a major surgery while having rare blood type or blood cell condition, which makes it difficult to find from regular blood donors. That is why this type of Blood Donation can only be done with doctor’s prescriptions. Before the process, your physical condition will be checked thoroughly to make sure that the process can be done. The requirements are just the same; you must not have any infection or severe health condition, you must avoid caffeine, alcohol and certain medications, and you must consume iron rich meals or iron supplement days before donation.

» Read more: Donating Blood for Oneself, Is It Possible?