how to donate blood in red cross

by Garland Pfeffer 8 min read

  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?

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. Make an Appointment.

What questions will be asked before I donate blood?

Be in good general health and feeling well. Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states). Weigh at least 110 pounds. Additional weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors. Have not donated blood in the last 56 days.

Where is the best place to 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 ».

What are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?

When you donate money to the Red Cross you'll be there as we hold 500 blood drives each day, collecting 40% of the nation's supply of blood and blood products. And as we provide nearly 471,000 services to military members, veterans and their families each year.

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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.

How can you donate blood?

General Guidelines for Blood DonationBe in good general health and feeling well.Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states).Weigh at least 110 pounds. ... Have not donated blood in the last 56 days.

Who Cannot donate blood Philippines?

Persons with the following conditions are not allowed to donate blood anyime:Cancer.Cardiac disease.Sever lung disease.Hepatitis B and C.HIV infection, AIDS or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)High risk occupation (e.g. prostitution)Unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kg over 6 months.Chronic alcoholism.More items...

Do I need to know my blood type to donate blood?

You don't need to know your blood type. Donors may be notified of their blood type following their donation when they receive their blood donor card or by creating a profile through the Red Cross Blood Donor App.Nov 6, 2019

Is giving blood good for you?

Regular blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk for heart attacks. “It definitely helps to reduce cardiovascular risk factors,” says DeSimone.Jan 24, 2022

How much blood can you donate at once?

Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation. A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days, or double red cells every 112 days. A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as 7 days apart, but a maximum of 24 times a year.

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

What should I know before donating blood?

Free Blood Screening: Your blood is screened for various diseases before you can donate it to a blood bank. The blood is analysed for the presence of Hepatitis B, HIV, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, etc. Regular screening will help in early detection if you are suffering from any such conditions.

Can you donate blood after period?

Yes. Menstruating doesn't affect your ability to donate. Enjoy your relaxing time on the donation couch and a tasty snack afterwards.

How can I join Red Cross Philippines?

To become a PRC volunteer, you need to fill out the online application form through redcross.ph/volunteer. You may also personally go to NHQ or at our local chapter nearest you to complete the profile form.

How does Red Cross get blood from the Philippines?

Clients or patients needing blood for transfusion may request from any PRC blood facilities upon presentation of blood request form issued by the hospital or physician. The Blood Samaritan Program is aimed mainly to assist indigent patients needing blood transfusion.

Can I donate 2 bags of blood?

The minimum interval between 2 donations is 12 weeks (3 months). This interval allows our body Val allows our body to restore it iron stock. Platelet (aphaeresis) donors may donate more frequently than - as often as once every two weeks and up to 24 times per year.

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 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 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.

How Hosting a Blood Drive Works

If you are already familiar with the process, you can start your application using the button below. Otherwise, here you can learn: what the host provides, what the Red Cross provides, and how the blood drive process works.

What the Host Provides

Location. — A large open room with enough space to ensure donor privacy.

What the Red Cross Provides

Planning Assistance — Your Red Cross representative will work with you to plan and organize the blood drive.

Blood Drive Process

Work with your Red Cross representative throughout the process; we’re here to offer advice and answer questions.

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