About Giving Blood

• You can't catch HIV, hepatitis or any other disease by giving blood.
• Giving a pint of blood now can save up to 3 lives.
• It only takes about an hour to give blood.
• Aside from a brief needle prick, it doesn't hurt to give blood.
• Your body will replace the blood you donate within days of your donation.
• You can give whole blood every 56 days, or up to 6 times every year.
• You can donate a double red cell every 112 days, or up to 3 times every year.
• There is no upper age limit for donating blood.

Who Can Give?

• Be healthy
• Be at least 17 years old. Effective July 1, 2008, in the State of Tennessee, 16-year-olds are allowed to donate blood with parental consent. A similar law took effect in Kentucky on July 16.
• Weigh at least 110 pounds
• Not have given whole blood in the last 56 days or a double red cell in the last 112 days
• Not have been asked by the Red Cross not to donate

  There is no upper age limit for donating blood. Please bring ID or your donor card.

  To make an appointment to donate whole blood at the Nashville Blood Center, please call 1-800-GIVELIFE (1-800-448-3543) or (615) 346-7864.

  If you have questions about your eligibility to donate (for instance, if you are taking a particular medication and aren't sure if you can give), please call 615-346-7822.

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