Who Can Donate Blood, and How?

Blood: A Continuous Need

The need for blood is ongoing and must be met every day. One pint of blood, yielding red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate (a clotting component), can benefit as many as four people. Thousands of patients, including those being treated for accidents, routine surgeries and serious diseases such as cancer, heart diseases and hemophilia, rely on the generosity of blood donors daily.

Blood Donor Requirements

To donate blood, you should be in good health, be at least 17 years of age, and weigh at least 110 pounds. You can donate blood every 56 days. Provided you are in good health there is noupper age limit.

If you are well but take medications or have a chronic health condition such as asthma or diabetes, refer to our eligibility requirement to determine whether you qualify.

We accept blood only from volunteer donors.

How and Where to Make An Appointment to Donate

If you wish to donate blood or have questions about your eligibility, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE. We will advise you about the many convenient donation sites throughout the South Bay (counties of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito) and the EastBay (Alameda and Contra Costa counties). Scheduling an appointment to donate blood can minimize waiting. The entire donation process takes about one hour.

What Happens When I Go to Donate Blood?

• Registration
  When you arrive, a volunteer will greet you and give you a medical history form. You'll register using the same name, date of birth and social security number each time you donate. You'll be asked for some form of identification such as a driver's license.
• Health History
  You'll meet with our health historian who will ask you about your past and present health. These questions serve 2 safety goals: (i) to ensure it is safe for you to donate; and (ii) to ensure that your blood is safe to transfuse to a patient. Next we'll test a drop of blood to make sure you're not anemic.  Then we'll do a "mini-physical", checking your pulse, blood pressure and temperature.
  If you've been taking any medicines in the past month, be prepared to give us the name and reason for taking them.
• Donation
  The actual blood donation takes 6 - 10 minutes.  A trained Red Cross professional will be at your side all the way.
  
  We'll cleanse an area over the front of your arm at the elbow. All of the supplies, including the needle, are sterile, and used only once - for YOU -  so you cannot get AIDS or any other disease.
  
  When we start the actual donation, you'll feel a brief "sting". In about 10 minutes when we've removed about one pint of blood, you're finished. Your body replaces the lost blood promptly - within hours for the plasma (liquid part) and a few weeks for the red cells.
• Refreshment Area
  Now you can relax and enjoy our refreshments. Most people feel fine when they give blood and afterward. You'll be given a phone number to call if you have any questions or concerns.

What should I do after donating blood?

It is recommended you:

• Increase your fluid intake for the next 24 to 48 hours.
• Avoid strenuous physical exertion, heavy lifting or pulling with the donation arm for about five hours.
• Eat well balanced meals for the next 24 hours.
• People seldom experience discomfort after donating. However, if you feel light-headed, lie down until the feeling passes.
• If some bleeding occurs after removal of the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm for three to five minutes.
• If bruising or bleeding appears under the skin, apply a cold pack periodically to the bruised area during the first 24 hours, then warm, moist heat intermittently.

If you have any questions concerning your donation or experience any unexpected problems, please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-559-2924.

Thank you for helping to save someone's life!