All you need to know before donating blood!

If you are between 16 and 18 years of age
◦ There are specific height-weight requirements

If you are 19 or older
◦ You must weigh at least 110 pounds


You can donate every 56 days (for regular
whole-blood donation)
Other eligibility criteria may be found at
www.redcrossblood.org/donatingblood/eligibility-requirements





Eat beforehand
Drink plenty of water
Bring your photo ID/donor card
Bring a list of any medications you are
currently taking
Wear a shirt with sleeves that can be easily
pushed up


You will be greeted at the greeter table
◦ You will sign in and then read a packet of information
regarding the donation process
You will move on to health history and take miniphysical
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Health history questionnaire
Temperature
Pulse
Blood Pressure
Hemoglobin level

Now you donate!

You will be escorted to the canteen
◦ The donation area will be cleaned
◦ You will feel a quick pinch as the needle is inserted
◦ After about 8-10 minutes, you will be done!
◦ Enjoy food and beverages before you leave


Most people are fine after donating
You should re-hydrate and avoid heavy lifting
for the remainder of the day



Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs
blood
More than 38,000 blood donations are
needed every day
One donation can help save up to three lives
◦ Whole blood donations contain
 Red blood cells-carry oxygen from the lungs to tissue
 Platelets-help with clotting
 Plasma-supply nutrients to cells

You donate two units of red blood cell
◦ Normal whole blood donation includes red blood cells,
platelets, and plasma
◦ Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood
component, which is what you will be donating!

What are the eligibility requirements?

What are the benefits?
◦ Males-at least 5’1” and 130lbs
◦ Females-at least 5’5” and 150lbs
◦ Smaller needle
◦ You donate twice as much, so there are approximately four
months between donations
◦ You take priority at the blood drive!
◦ Quicker recovery time
 You don’t lose the fluid portion of your blood, so you feel more
hydrated after donating

Who needs platelets?
◦ Chemotherapy patients
◦ Organ transplant patients

Why donate platelets?

What is the process?


◦ It takes 12-18 whole blood donations to equal one
platelet donation
◦ About a quarter of a pint of blood is drawn at a time,
filtered through a cell-separating machine, and then
returned to your body (with only platelets removed)
◦ It normally takes 1.5-2 hours, during which time you can
read, study, listen to music, etc.
How often can I donate?
◦ Every two weeks!
Will it interfere with regular blood donation?
◦ No! You can still give regular blood donations

Visit www.redcross.org for more information
and to schedule an appointment to donate!