Common Questions About Donating Blood
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Q: What can I expect at my donation?A: Inaconfidentialandprivatesetting,you’llanswersomequestionsaboutyourhealthhistoryandplacesyouhavetraveled.We’lltakeyourbloodpressure,temperatureandasmallsampleofyourbloodtotestyourironlevel.We’llcleansetheareaofyourarmandinsertasterileneedle,throughwhichthebloodorbloodcomponentwillbedrawn.Afterdonation,youcanrelaxintherefreshmentarea,enjoyasnackandbeverageandtakepleasureinknowingyourblooddonationmayhelpsaveuptothreelives.
Q: Can I find out my blood type?A: Yes.Aboutsixweeksafteryourdonation,youwillreceiveadonorcardinthemailbearingyourbloodtype.
Q: How often may I donate blood?A: Youmaydonatewholebloodevery56days,uptosixtimesperyear;plateletseverysevendays,upto24timesperyear;plasmaevery28days,upto13timesperyear;anddoubleredcellsevery112days,uptothreetimesperyear.
Q: Will I have to limit my activities after donating?A: Weaskdonorsnottodoanystrenuousactivityorheavyliftingforseveralhoursafterdonating.Youmaywanttoscheduleyourappointmentseveralhoursbeforeorafterplannedexercise.
Q: Will I become anemic after donating?A: Mostpeopledonotbecomeanemicafterdonating.Thebodybeginsreplenishinglostfluidandredcellswithin24hours.
Q: What if I have recently gotten a tattoo and/or body piercing?A: Ifyourtattoowasappliedinastate-regulated/licensedtattoofacilityusingsterileneedlesandtheinkwasnotreused,youmaybeabletodonate.Youmaydonateafterreceivingabodypiercingaslongasyouarecertainasterileneedlewasused.Otherwise,youmustwaitoneyearafterreceivingatattooorbodypiercing.
Q: I’ve been turned down before. Should I try again?A: Yes.Mostdeferralsaretemporary–notpermanent.CheckwithRedCrossstafftofindoutifyoucannowdonate.
To be eligible to donate blood you must: • beatleast17yearsold(16withparental permissioninsomestates)
• meetheightandweightrequirements (atleast110poundsbasedonheight)
• beingenerallygoodhealth
Before donating you should:
• getagoodnight’ssleep
• drinkplentyoffluids
• eatwithin2-3hours
Be sure to bring your: • donorcardoragovernmentissuedphotoI.D.
• parentalconsentformifyouare a16-year-olddonor
• wearclothingwithsleevesthatcanberaisedabovetheelbow
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Common Questions About Donating BloodQ: What if I have high or low blood pressure?A: Yourbloodpressurewillbecheckedbeforeeverydonation.Ifyourbloodpressureiswithinanacceptablerange,youmaydonate.Ifyoutakemedicationtocontrolyourbloodpressure,youmaystillbeeligibletodonate.PleasecheckwithaRedCrossstaffmembertofindoutifyouareabletodonate.
Q: Can I donate if I have been taking an antibiotic?A: Youmaybeabletodonatebloodaslongasyouhavetakenyourlastdoseoftheprescribedcourseofantibioticsandhavenosymptoms.PleasecheckwithaRedCrossstaffmembertofindoutifyouareabletodonate.
Q: If something is wrong with my blood, will I find out?A: Yes.Youwillbenotifiedconfidentiallybycertifiedmailorinraresituations bytelephone.
Q: Can I get AIDS from giving blood?A: No.Allequipmentissterileandusedonlyforyou.Youcan’t“catch”anythingbygivingblood.
Q: If I participate in sports, can I practice or compete right after giving blood?A: Whenyougiveblood,youtemporarilylosesomefluidwhichyourbodyreplaceswithin24hours.Soafewprecautionsarenecessary:donotcompeterightafterthedonationandavoidstrenuousactivityforfivehoursafterdonating.Giveyourbodyadaytoreplacethevolumeyoudonated.Pleaseconsultwithyourcoachortrainertoensureitisappropriateforyoutodonateonthedayoftheblooddrive.
Q: Can I give blood if I have been drinking or using drugs?A: WhiletheRedCrossdoesnotencouragetheuseofcontrolledsubstances,marijuanaoralcohol,usedoesnotnecessarilydisqualifyyoufromgivingbloodaslongasyouarefeelingwell.IfyouhaveEVERinjectedanyillegaldrugs,youareindefinitelyineligible.
Q: Can I give blood if I have traveled outside the U.S.?A: Therearespecifiedlimitationsforcertaintravel.Somecircumstancesmaymakeapersontemporarilyineligibletodonateblood;somecauseindefiniteineligibility.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,orifyouhavebeentoldyoucanneverdonatebloodagain,youmaywishtodiscussyourhistorywithatrainedRedCrossstaffmembersincetheguidelinesforeligibilitymayhavechanged.
Q: What should I do if I have more questions regarding my eligibility to donate blood?A: Ourdonorhealthrepresentativescanansweranyquestionsyoumayhaveabouttravel,medicationsorhealthconditionsthatmightaffectyourabilitytodonateblood.Pleasecall1-866-236-3276orvisitredcrossblood.orgformoreinformation.
