Registration

  You will sign in, show your ID, and read some information about donation. Below are some general guidelines to be elegible to donate: 

• Be in general good health.

• Be at least 17 years old. (If you are 16 you can donate with a consent form signed by your parent). There is no upper age limit as long as you have no health restrictions.

• Be at least 5' 4" tall and weigh at least 110 pounds. If you are under 5' 4" you will need to weigh more than 110 pounds to safely donate.

Health history and health check

  You will fill out a questionnaire about your health, travel, and lifestyle to confirm your eligibility. Someone will also check your temperature, blood pressure, and pulse.  They will also prick your finger to check your hemoglobin or red blood cell levels.

The donation

 You will be seated in a comfortable position while your arm is cleaned and sterilized. You will stay seated while blood is drawn from your arm. One pint of blood will be drawn along with a few test tube samples for testing. This process takes from 6 - 10 minutes. When the donation is done, you will get a bandage on you arm.

Refreshment and recovery

 You will enjoy a light snack and drink while waiting 10-15 minutes before you should leave and resume your daily activities.  The entire donation process takes less than one hour.

After you donate

• Increase fluid intake

• Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or pulling with your donation arm

• Smoking and alcohol comsumption is not recommended

• If you feel light-headed, lie down until the feeling passes.

Your next donation

  You can schedule your next donation in 8 weeks. How often you can donate depends on the kind of donation you choose. To make sure that your body has plenty of time to recover and replenish, there are guidelines for times between donations.

• Whole blood donation: 2 months

• Plasma donation: 1 month

• Platelet donation: 1 week

• Double red cell donation: 4 months