MAKATI Medical Center is encouraging everyone to save a life through blood donation.

But you must be in good physical condition, have at least six to eight hours of sleep and must not have undergone major or minor surgeries, dental surgeries, tattooing and body piercing for the past 12 months.

There should also be a three-month interval from your last donation, and you must not have taken medicine (except vitamins) within the past 24 hours before donating.

Individuals aged 18 to 60 years old are eligible to donate, but younger donors require a written consent from a parent or guardian.

Another criterion to qualify as a blood donor is the level of blood pressure.

A blood pressure below 180/100 is required to be able to donate.

Some tips to maintain stable and healthy blood pressures are avoiding too much salty food, limiting alcohol consumption, refraining from smoking, exercising regularly and controlling stress levels.

Visit the Makati Med Blood Bank, G/F  Tower 2; call  8888999; e-mail [email protected]; visit  www.makatimed.net.ph.