Blood Donation FAQs

Each day life-saving blood transfusions are needed in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities across the U.S.

There are more than 13.2 million blood donors in the United States, resulting in a total of 17.2 million transfused blood product units per year [Source]. Those sound like big numbers, but blood donations have actually declined in the past year. Your donation could be the difference between life and death for someone!

Blood Testing Overview:

Blood donors are asked a set of standard questions prior to donating blood to assist in determining if they are in good health and free of any diseases that could be transmitted by blood transfusion. If the donor’s answers indicate they are not well or are at risk for having a disease transmissible by blood transfusion, they are not allowed to donate blood.

If the donor is eligible to donate, the donated blood is tested for blood type (ABO group) and Rh type (positive or negative). This is to make sure that patients receive blood that matches their blood type. Before transfusion, the donor and blood unit are also tested for certain proteins (antibodies) that may cause adverse reactions in a person receiving a blood transfusion.

All blood for transfusion is tested for evidence of certain infectious disease pathogens, such as hepatitis B and C viruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The tests used to screen donated blood are listed below.

Infectious Disease Pathogen

The following infection disease pathogens are tested every donation:

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)

Human Immunodeficiency virus Types 1 and 2 (HIV)

Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Types I and II (HTLV)

Treponema pallidum (syphilis)

West Nile virus (WNV)

Zika Virus (ZIKV)

These remaining infection disease pathogens are tested on the following basis.

Bacterial Contamination: Every platelet donation

Babesia: Performed on donations in Babesia-endemic regions:

Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease): All first-time donors tested

Cytomegalovirus (CMV): Performed on some donations for special needs recipients

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STEP 1: Before Donating
Eat well, try to always include iron-rich foods in your diet. These foods include: beef, pork, poultry (chicken, turkey), fish, lamb, clams, oysters, nuts, raisins, peas, spinach and other dark, leafy greens.

Get a good night’s sleep.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Drinking water 30 minutes before giving blood has been found to improve the donation experience. Drinking fluids before your donation helps maintain good circulation throughout your body, and helps prevent light-headedness.

And, please bring a photo ID with you. When you arrive, there will be a brief registration process.

STEP 2: Donor Registration

When you arrive, there will be a brief registration process. This includes a scan of your fingertip that is converted to a unique binary code for secure, convenient identification each time you donate. It is similar to the scans used to obtain your driver’s license and at libraries and schools. Using a computer touch screen you will complete a series of donor questions, including your name, address, phone number, etc. You will be asked a few questions about your health.

STEP 3: Receive a Mini-physical

Next, you will receive a mini-physical to ensure that you are healthy enough to donate blood. This includes checking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and iron level.

STEP 4: Blood Donation

You will be asked to recline in a donor chair. One of our phlebotomists will prepare your arm, sanitizing it and asking you to squeeze your fist to increase blood circulation. Because sterile, disposable, one-use-only supplies are used for your donation, there is no risk of getting a disease from giving blood. The blood collection will be started and typically lasts about 20 minutes to donate one unit (about a pint).

STEP 5: Juice and Cookies!

Now, you’ve earned a snack! We encourage you to relax in our refreshment area and enjoy some juice and cookies to replenish your body before you take on the rest of your day. Refrain from heavy lifting or strenuous physical work for 24 hours. Listen to your body’s signals during the next day. Have a seat, slow down and rest if you find yourself feeling unusual. Should you have any medical concerns or questions, call us day or night at the phone number listed on the card you received at the end of your donation.

The best part is how you’ll feel, knowing you have made a lifesaving difference for someone in need.

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