Once your blood is taken, you’ll be asked to stay for a short time to make sure you’re feeling well. Apheresis donation (described in the next section) may take 2 hours or longer. Removing a unit of whole blood usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. An area on your arm will be cleaned, and a sterile needle put into a vein (usually where your elbow bends). You’ll sit in a reclining chair or lie on a table. You must also be told details about what donating blood will be like before you decide to actually give blood. You’ll need to fill out a questionnaire, asking about certain behaviors or travel that might put you at increased risk for some diseases. Requirements for donating bloodįDA guidelines require that before giving blood, you must register have your blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate checked answer health questions and get a blood test (usually by sticking a finger for a few drops of blood). Many donor centers ask that you bring in a list of all the medicines you’re taking and your donor card, driver’s license, or 2 forms of other identification. (For an example of eligibility criteria, check the Red Cross website at The donation processīefore giving blood, get a good night’s sleep, eat a well-balanced meal, and drink extra fluids that are non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated. Other health and travel questions are reviewed with each donor in detail. People who are taking “blood thinners” or certain drugs that are used to treat acne, baldness, an enlarged prostate, or some other conditions may not be able to donate unless they’ve stopped the drug for a certain amount of time. Not have donated blood within the past 8 weeks (this can be shorter for most apheresis donations, which are described below).Be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent).Although guidelines can vary slightly by state and facility, for the most part donors must: Rules that protect blood donorsĪside from protecting those who receive donated blood, rules are also in place to protect people who want to donate. Your body will replace the lost fluid within a day, and your bone marrow will replace the blood cells, usually within 4 to 6 weeks. If you’re healthy, you can donate a unit (about a pint) of blood without harm because one unit is a small part of your total blood volume. Reactions from donating are rare and are almost always minor if they do happen. Donors cannot get hepatitis, HIV, or any other infections or diseases from giving blood.

The needle used to draw blood from your vein has never been used before, and it’s thrown away right after it’s used. Only sterile equipment is used to collect blood. People are not allowed to donate blood if their lab tests or questionnaires show that they may be at high risk for certain diseases. Lab tests are done to look for blood that might transmit diseases (described in Getting a Blood Transfusion). Also, previous donation records and lists of ineligible donors are checked. Everyone who comes in to donate is asked many questions and has a chance to say whether their blood may be unsafe for any reason. In the United States, all blood centers follow careful procedures to keep the blood supply safe. The AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) also publishes guidelines for safe transfusions, which its members must follow. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) closely regulates blood to keep the blood supply safe. After blood is tested for safety and processed into components, it’s stored in blood banks until needed. Some larger hospitals have their own centers to collect and process donated blood. Some centers use vans (often called bloodmobiles) that travel to different areas to collect blood. Blood is usually donated at special collection centers.

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