how to donate blood

Why Give Blood

You don't need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason.

What to Expect at Your Donation

Registration — You will sign in, show an ID, and be asked to read some required information.

How to Get Ready

Donors must have proof of age to ensure they meet the minimum age requirements and present a primary form of ID or two secondary forms of ID.

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

To give blood, you must be at least 17 years of age and a healthy weight, usually 110 pounds (50 kg) or heavier. In some places, you can donate blood as young as 16, provided you can show proof of parental consent. Call your local blood center ask about what they look for in a donor.

How to find out if you are an eligible donor?

Fortunately, the process is an easy one, and only requires you to make a few simple preparations. First, contact your local health clinic or blood drive program to find out whether you’re an eligible donor.

What to wear when it's cold outside?

Even if it’s not chilly outside, it’s a good idea to bring a sweatshirt or light jacket. Your body temperature drops slightly when you give blood, which may cause you to feel a little chilly.

Who is Luba Lee?

This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 190,398 times.

The Blood Donation Process

The blood donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average.

Your Donation

If you’re donating whole blood, we’ll cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand new sterile needle for the blood draw. (This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds.)

What is blood donation?

Blood donation is a voluntary procedure that can help save the lives of others. There are several types of blood donation. Each type helps meet different medical needs.

What do you need to know before you can donate blood?

Before you can donate blood, you will be asked to fill out a confidential medical history that includes questions about behaviors known to carry a higher risk of bloodborne infections — infections that are transmitted through the blood.

How long does it take for blood to be replaced?

Within a few days of a blood donation, your body replaces the lost fluids. And after two weeks, your body replaces the lost red blood cells.

What is platelet donation?

Platelet donation (plateletpheresis) collects only platelets — the cells that help stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs (clotting) in blood vessels. Donated platelets are commonly given to people with clotting problems or cancer and people who will have organ transplants or major surgeries.

How long after a positive test can you donate blood?

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests waiting to donate blood for at least 14 days after a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 without symptoms or for at least 14 days after symptoms of COVID-19 have completely cleared up. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies but didn't have a diagnostic test and never developed symptoms can donate without a waiting period or having a diagnostic test done before donation.

What is double red blood donation?

Double red cell donation allows you to donate a concentrated amount of red blood cells. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to your organs and tissues. Donated red blood cells are typically given to people with severe blood loss, such as after an injury or accident, and people with sickle cell anemia.

What is the process of donating blood?

During apheresis, you are hooked up to a machine that can collect and separate blood components, such as red cells, plasma and platelets. This process allows more of a single component to be collected.

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

Donors must be 17 years of age or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Blood Donation Minor Consent Form. PDF. Donors must be in good health and feeling well on day of donation. Donors must have had no antibiotics or dental work three days prior to donation and no tattoos or body piercings in the past 12 months.

How long does it take to give blood?

Giving blood only takes about an hour of your time. You will be asked to fill out a confidential health questionnaire about your medical history and be given a “mini” physical to check your blood iron level, blood pressure, temperature and pulse.

How long does it take to donate to a charity?

The actual donation process only takes about 15 minutes as you sit back in a comfortable chair and watch your favorite television show. After your donation, you’re invited to relax and have a light snack or juice. Afterwards, you can go back to your normal schedule.

What is directed donation?

Directed donors must inform the donor center staff they are directly donating for a specific patient and provide the patient’s (recipient) name. The recipient’s physician must provide a written order to collect directed donations prior to accepting donors for directed donations. The donor’s blood type will not be determined before donation.

How to prepare for blood donation?

Hydrate yourself. To prepare your body for the loss of blood, you need to drink plenty of water or fruit juice the night and morning before you donate. The leading cause of faintness and dizziness when you give blood is a drop in blood pressure or blood sugar.

How often can you donate blood?

You can only donate blood every 56 days if you are male, and 84 if you are female (to ensure iron levels are high enough after menstrual cycles). If you have donated blood more recently than that, then you are not eligible again, until that period is over.

How much weight do you need to donate blood?

Certain prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, can make you ineligible to donate blood. You must weigh at least 110 pounds or 50 kg.

How to get iron out of blood?

Having good levels of vitamin C will also help to increase iron absorption. Try to consume citrus fruit, juices, or vitamin C supplements. Hydrate yourself. To prepare your body for the loss of blood, you need to drink plenty of water or fruit juice the night and morning before you donate.

Who is Shari Forschen?

This article was medically reviewed by Shari Forschen, NP, MA. Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota . She received her Family Nurse Practitioner Master's from the University of North Dakota and has been a nurse since 2003. This article has been viewed 1,000,590 times.

Why do people donate blood?

There are also potential benefits for people who regularly donate blood: Lower iron levels in blood. This is a plus if your iron levels are too high. Donating blood removes some red blood cells, which carry iron throughout your body. Better cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

How long does it take to donate blood?

Donation. Refreshments. While the whole process, from the time you get to the facility to the time you leave, can take about an hour, the actual donation itself may take as little as 8-10 minutes.

How long after blood donation can you drink?

There aren’t any lasting side effects, but you may temporarily: Need to hydrate. Drink more non-alcoholic beverages for 24-48 hours after you donate blood.

Can you donate blood to a tattoo?

Tattoos, in most states, aren’t a barrier to giving blood, provided that the tattoo artist followed good safety practices (like using sterile needles and not reusing ink). A few states may require a waiting period between when you get a tattoo and when you donate blood, but in general, it’s not an issue. 3. Donation.

1. Welcome and preparation

Remember to bring your completed donation safety check form with you, if you received one from us in the post. We will ask you to read our donor consent booklet (PDF 517KB) which explains the importance of blood safety. It’s important to read this whenever you attend because advice does change.

2. Health screening

We make sure it is safe for you to donate, and that your blood donation is safe for a patient to receive.

3. Your blood donation

When you are comfortable on the chair we will ask you to confirm your name, address and date of birth.

How long does it take to donate blood?

How long will it take to donate blood? The whole process of blood donation, from the registration up to the recovery, will only take an average of 30 minutes. The blood extraction will take about 5-10 minutes. The blood volume will start replenishing within 24 hours.

How long does it take for blood to replenish?

The blood volume will start replenishing within 24 hours. Theoretically, by the end of the month, the body will have the blood status before the blood donation.

What is the purpose of the PRC?

Donor Recruitment and Retention#N#To meet the increasing demand for blood and augment the national blood requirement, the PRC conducts education and recruitment sessions to encourage regular voluntary blood donations from communities, different companies, organizations, colleges and universities nationwide.

Overview

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Why It's Done

Risks

How You Prepare

• Blood donation is a voluntary procedure that can help save the lives of others. There are several types of blood donation. Each type helps meet different medical needs.

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What You Can Expect

Results

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