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Donation Process 
Can I donate blood?
To donate blood, you must be in good health, 16
years of age (with completed and signed parental permission form)
or older and weigh a minimum of 102 pounds.
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Will donating blood hurt?
You may feel a slight sting in the beginning
lasting only a couple of seconds, but there should be no discomfort
during the donation.
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Can I get AIDS from donating blood?
No. There is no risk of contracting AIDS or any
other disease through the donation process. Each collection kit is
sterile, pre-packaged and used only once.
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Do I have enough blood in my body to donate?
Yes. The body contains 10 to 12 pints of blood.
Your whole blood donation is approximately one pint.
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How much blood is taken during a donation?
For a whole blood donation, approximately one pint
(which weighs about one pound) is collected. For a platelet
donation, the amount collected depends on your height, weight and
platelet count.
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How long will the actual donation process
take?
A whole blood donation takes about 5-10 minutes.
The entire donation process, from registration to post-donation
refreshments, takes about one hour.
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Is there anything I should do before I
donate?
Be sure to eat well at your regular mealtimes and
drink plenty of fluids.
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What is automation?
Automation is the process of removing a specific
component of the blood, such as platelets, and returning the
remaining components, such as red blood cells and plasma, to the
donor. This process allows more of one particular part of the blood
to be collected than could be separated from a unit of whole blood.
Automation is also performed to collect red blood cells, plasma
(liquid part of the blood), and granulocytes (white blood
cells).
The automated donation procedure takes longer than that for whole
blood donation. A whole blood donation takes about 5 to 10 minutes,
while an automated donation may take about one to two hours.
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Who needs automated products?
Patients with cancer or leukemia, transplant
recipients and patients with blood disorders need automated
products.
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Am I eligible for automated donation?
Donors must meet the same eligibility requirements
as a whole blood donor. In addition, because aspirin affects the
coagulation function of platelets, automated donors are asked not
to take aspirin or aspirin-like products (Advil, Motrin or
Ibuprofen) 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. Please feel
free to discuss your eligibility for this program with one of our
phlebotomists at any time before, during or after your whole blood
donation.
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How often may I donate?
You may donate whole blood once every 56 days,
which allows plenty of time for your red cells to be replenished.
Automated donors may donate more frequently -- as often as once
every seven days and up to 24 times per year. This is because the
body replenishes platelets and plasma more quickly than red cells.
Platelets will return to normal levels within about 72 hours of
donating. Plasma (the liquid portion of your blood) will return to
normal levels within two days. Red blood cells (the oxygen-carrying
cells) will take approximately two weeks to reach their normal
levels.
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What does the term “donor deferral” mean?
Individuals disqualified from donating blood are
known as "deferred" donors. A prospective donor may be deferred at
any point during the collection and testing process. Whether or not
a person is deferred temporarily or permanently will depend on the
specific reason for disqualification (e.g., a person may be
deferred temporarily because of anemia, a condition that is usually
reversible). If a person is to be deferred, his or her name is
entered into a list of deferred donors maintained by the blood
center, often known as the "deferral registry." If a deferred donor
attempts to give blood before the end of the deferral period, the
donor will not be accepted for donation. Once the reason for the
deferral no longer exists and the temporary deferral period has
lapsed, the donor may return to the blood bank and be re-entered
into the system.
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If I was deferred once before, am I still
ineligible to donate?
If your deferral is of a permanent nature, you will
be informed. Otherwise, the deferral time depends upon the reason
for deferral. Prior to each donation, you will be given a
mini-physical and medical interview. At that time, it will be
determined if you are eligible to donate blood on that particular
day.
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Can I still donate if I have high blood
pressure?
Yes, if your blood pressure in under control and
within the limits set in the donation guidelines.
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What if I'm taking aspirin or medication
prescribed by my doctor?
Aspirin and ibuprofen will not affect a whole blood
donation. Automated platelet donors, however, must not take aspirin
or aspirin products 48 hours prior to donation. Many other
medications are acceptable. It is recommended that you call the
donor center ahead of time to inquire about any medications you are
taking.
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What is my donated blood tested
for?
After you have finished donating, a sample of your
blood is sent to the lab for testing to ensure the blood supply is
safe. Your blood is tested for:
- ABO/RH
- Antibody Screen
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- HIV 1/2
- HTLV I/II
- Syphilis
- Cholesterol
- West Nile Virus
- T. Cruzi (Chagas)
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