A tiny bit of your blood, called a sample, will be taken with an injection.

This is to check your blood group. Blood might all look the same, but it’s actually split into different groups: A, B, AB or O. You can only be given blood that is safe for your group. Your doctors have done this lots of times and they know exactly which blood is and isn’t OK for your body. 

Before you receive blood, doctors will make sure that it is very safe. 

This donated blood is stored in special plastic bags.To give the transfusion, these bags are connected to a long plastic tube.

This is connected to a thin plastic tube called a cannula, which has a needle in the end. The needle is popped into the back of your hand.

Just like with any injection, you might feel a quick sharp prick, but once the needle is in, it shouldn’t hurt at all. 

Another way you might be given your transfusion is in your central line, sometimes known as a ‘Hickman’ or ‘PICC’ line.

 This is where a thin plastic tube is inserted into a vein in your neck or chest (called a ‘Hickman’ line) or in your elbow (called a ‘PICC’ line). It can be left there for a longer time, so is good for people who need to go back for transfusions or treatments more often.

You will need to sit or lie quite still while the blood is being given to you.

This won’t usually be for longer than an hour or two.

Somebody will stay with you and you can take things in, for example a book or a tablet, to help you pass the time.