how to donate blood at red cross

1. Find a blood drive. One way to donate blood to the Red Cross is to find a blood drive near you. There are several ways to find blood drives.
2. Make an appointment to give blood. Through the Red Cross’s website, you can make an appointment to give blood at a local drive.
3. Contact your local Red Cross chapter. Every state has a state Red Cross, and some states have regional Red Cross chapters.
4. Call the Red Cross. If you are unsure where to donate blood, or you have questions about anything, you can call the Red Cross.
5. Host a community blood drive. Another way you can donate blood to the Red Cross is to host a blood drive.

Full Answer

What is the best way to donate blood?

The Donation — You'll be seated comfortably while a pint of blood is drawn. The actual donation only takes 8-10 minutes. Refreshment and Recovery — After donating, you can enjoy a snack and a drink for 10-15 minutes before resuming your day. The entire donation process takes about an …

What questions will be asked before I donate blood?

Donation frequency: Every 28 days, up to 13 times/year*. You must have type AB blood. You must be in good health and feeling well**. You must be at least 17 years old. You must weigh at least 110 lbs. See additional requirements for student donors >>. Learn more about donating AB Plasma >>. Give AB Plasma.

Where is the best place to donate blood?

When approximately a pint of whole blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on your arm. For platelets, the apheresis machine will collect a small amount of blood, remove the platelets, and return the rest of the blood through your other arm; this cycle will be repeated several times over about 2 hours.

What are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?

Donors needed to meet this urgent need. You may still donate blood, platelets or plasma after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine is important in determining your blood donation eligibility. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and blood donation, click here ».

Who Cannot donate blood?

You are eligible to donate blood if you are in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and are 17 years or older. You are not eligible to donate blood if you: Have ever used self-injected drugs (non-prescription) Had hepatitis.

What should you not do before giving blood?

Five Things NOT To Do Before Giving BloodDon't eat immediately before donating. ... Don't give blood if you feel sick. ... Don't worry about drinking coffee, tea or any other caffeinated beverages before donating. ... Don't smoke or drink alcoholic beverages before donating. ... Don't stay up too late the night before.Dec 7, 2021

Can you drink caffeine before donating blood?

Donors should have a healthy meal and drink fluids within four hours before donating. It is best to avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages before donating.

Should I drink water before giving blood?

Drink water: A good portion of the blood donated is made up of water, so be sure to drink water before and after donating. Most locations advise drinking about 16 ounces of water beforehand. This will help reduce fatigue and dizziness after donating by keeping your body hydrated and replenished.Jan 12, 2021

What are side effects of donating blood?

The side effects of donating blood include nausea and dizziness and fainting in some cases. You may develop a raised bump or experience continued bleeding and bruising at the needle site too. Some people might experience pain and physical weakness after donating 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.

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.)

How to donate blood to the Red Cross?

1. Find a blood drive. One way to donate blood to the Red Cross is to find a blood drive near you. There are several ways to find blood drives. Look around your community for signs advertising blood drives. Many organizations, community events, churches, and schools hold blood drives throughout the year on similar dates.

How long does it take to donate blood?

Set aside at least an hour. The process of giving blood takes around an hour, although the act of donating only takes around 10 minutes. You will have to go through registration, a physical, and a short recovery time when you give blood. [7]

What happens when you give blood?

When you give blood, you will sit in a chair. One of the blood drive staff will cleanse your arm before she inserts a new, sterile needle into your arm. You will sit in the chair while the bag fills. When you have donated the appropriate amount of blood, the staff member will remove the needle and bandage the wound.

What does it mean to be a blood donor?

Blood donors should overall be healthy and feeling well. This means that you are not sick, running a fever, have an infection, or other illness. You should be able to perform normal activities. [23]

How to make an appointment to give blood?

Make an appointment to give blood. Through the Red Cross’s website, you can make an appointment to give blood at a local drive. When you make an appointment online to give blood, you will need to provide your zip code and then choose on which date you would like to give blood.

How much weight do you need to be to donate blood?

If you are 16, you can give blood, like at a school blood drive, with parental consent. To give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds. [16] X Trustworthy Source Red Cross Blood Donation Services Website run by the Red Cross Organization providing information about how and where to donate blood safely Go to source.

How tall do you have to be to give blood?

Female donors who are under 18 have to meet height and weight requirements. If you are under 18, you have to be 5'6" and 110 pounds to give blood. With each inch shorter than 5'6", the weight requirement increases by four to five pounds.

How does blood donation work?

The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average. The steps in the process are:#N#Registration#N#You will complete donor registration, which includes information such as your name, address, phone number, and donor identification number (if you have one).#N#You will be asked to show a donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of ID.#N#Health History and Mini Physical#N#You will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and the places you have traveled.#N#You will have your temperature, hemoglobin, blood pressure and pulse checked.#N#Donation#N#We will 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.#N#You will have some time to relax while the bag is filling. (For a whole blood donation, it is about 8-10 minutes. If you are donating platelets, red cells or plasma by apheresis the collection can take up to 2 hours.)#N#When approximately a pint of blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on your arm.#N#Refreshments#N#You will spend a few minutes enjoying refreshments to allow your body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluid volume.#N#After 10-15 minutes you can then leave the donation site and continue with your normal daily activities.#N#Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you have helped to save lives.#N#Your gift of blood may help up to three people. Donated red blood cells do not last forever. They have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days.

Why is the Red Cross collecting plasma?

The Red Cross is collecting plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to help current patients battling this new coronavirus. COVID-19 convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and contains antibodies that might help patients actively fighting the virus.

Why is the Red Cross important?

The highest priorities of the Red Cross are the safety of the blood supply and our blood donors. Some individuals may be at risk of transferring communicable disease through blood donation due to exposure via travel or other activities or may encounter problems with blood donation due to their health.

What is the process of collecting blood from a donor?

Apheresis is the process by which platelets and other specific blood components (red cells or plasma) are collected from a donor. The word “apheresis” is derived from the Greek word aphaeresis meaning “to take away.”. This process is accomplished by using a machine called a cell separator.

How long do red blood cells last?

Your gift of blood may help up to three people. Donated red blood cells do not last forever. They have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days.

Why do we measure blood pressure?

When you come to donate blood at the American Red Cross, we measure your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin because the results provide information about your current health at the time of your donation. The Red Cross does not diagnose medical conditions or offer treatment.

How does plasma work?

During a plasma donation, blood is drawn from an arm and sent through a high-tech machine that collects your plasma and then safely and comfortably returns your red cells back to you, along with some saline. Because of this process, donating plasma does take longer than a regular whole blood donation.

How You Can Help Today

Gifts of all kinds are accepted with gratitude, but these are the most effective ways you can make a difference right now.

All Ways to Donate

From online to Alexa, IRA to DAF, there are many ways to make a monetary donation to support all of the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.

How Your Gift Makes a Difference

Your monetary donation to the Red Cross helps provide food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance during disasters.

Other Ways You Can Help

We know a monetary donation is not always possible. Here are other ways you can join our mission.