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Who may donate
blood?
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Generally,
anyone in good health can donate.
Make sure you do not have a cold, flu or sore throat
at the time of donation.
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How old do I have to be to
donate?
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You must be
18 years old, or 17 years old with a parent’s or legal guardian’s
written consent.
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Is
there a maximum age limit for donating blood?
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A
person may donate up to age 75.
At age 76 the donor must provide a letter from his/her
private physician indicating that he/she is in good health
and capable of donating a pint of blood.
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How
much blood do I have in my body?
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The
average adult has between 8-12 pints.
You can easily spare one.
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Do
I need identification?
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Yes,
bring some form of official identification with your signature
or photo and name.
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How
much do you have to weigh to donate blood?
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The
minimum weight is 110 lbs. There is no maximum limit.
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I
have been turned away in the past for having low iron, should
I still try to donate?
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Yes,
as part of the medical screening process we will take a drop
of blood and check your hemoglobin level to ensure that you
have enough to donate.
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Can
I donate if I have high blood pressure?
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Yes,
as long as your blood pressure is within our acceptable criteria
of 180/100. If
you are taking medication to control your blood pressure,
be sure to continue to take it as prescribed by your physician.
Also, know the name of the medication when you come
to donate.
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I
have allergies, will that stop me from donating?
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If
you have active allergies you must wait 1 week before giving
blood. If you
have a history of asthma, wait 3 days after your last attack. If you are taking any medication, please know the name of
the medication so you may be evaluated by our health care
professional.
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What
kinds of medication will prevent me from donating?
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The
Blood Center will want to know why you are taking a medication,
as well as the name of the medication. Some general categories of medication that are acceptable
are:
Blood
pressure medication
Cholesterol lowering drugs
Birth
control pills
Hormone
replacement therapy
Medication
for depression
Hypothyroid
medication
Each
donor will be evaluated on an individual basis.
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Can
I donate after having a flu shot?
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You
must wait 3 days after receiving a flu vaccination. Listed
below are some common vaccinations and the waiting period
before donating.
Vaccination:
Length of Wait:
Chicken
pox vaccine
4 Weeks
Hepatitis
B vaccine
3 days
Lyme
vaccine
No wait
Measles
2 weeks
Mumps
2 weeks
Rubella
(German measles)
4 weeks
Tetanus
Toxoid (preventive)
No wait
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What
about people with diabetes?
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People
whose diabetes is under control with oral medication and/or
diet are acceptable. Donors who take insulin must know the
name of the insulin and their diabetes must be under control.
Those patients with Diabetes Insipidus are permanently deferred.
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How
long do I have to wait after having my ears pierced or getting
a tattoo?
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If
you had your ears pierced (or any type of body piercing) it
must have been performed under sterile conditions, otherwise
you will need to wait 1 year after having the piercing performed.
Tattoos require a 1-year wait.
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I
just returned from a cruise to the Caribbean, could I donate
now?
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It
depends upon where you traveled in the Caribbean.
Haiti and parts of the Dominican Republic are considered
endemic for malaria. You must wait a minimum of one year before
giving blood. Please contact the Blood Center for specific
information regarding your travel itinerary.
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I
heard you are not taking people who traveled to England?
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Anyone
who has lived in or traveled to the United Kingdom (England,
Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man or the
Channel Islands) for a total of six months or more from 1980
to 1996 is not eligible to donate.
This is a new regulation for Blood Banks as required
by the FDA. This
regulation is related to the possible transmission of New
Variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD), a disease of the
brain that has been identified in Europe.
It is believed that people have been infected with
this disease (Mad Cow Disease) through eating infected beef.
There have been no documented cases of this disease
being transmitted by blood transfusions, but the FDA has initiated
this regulation as a precaution.
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I
have a heart condition, can I donate?
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It
depends upon your diagnosis. You will need to be interviewed by a specially trained health
care professional at the Blood Center to evaluate your condition.
We suggest that you also consult your private physician.
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Can
I get AIDS from donating blood?
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No.
There is no risk of getting AIDS or any other disease
from giving blood. We use sterile disposable equipment to
take your blood. A
brand new needle is used for each blood donation.
Once it is used, the needle is destroyed.
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How long does it take to
donate?
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The
donation process includes registration, a brief medical screening,
the blood collection, and time for refreshments in the canteen.
For whole blood the entire donation process usually takes
about one hour.
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Can I eat before I donate?
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Yes,
we prefer if you eat within 4 hours of donating.
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How long will it take to
replace my blood?
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The
body will replace the fluid portion of your blood within 24
hours. It will take a few weeks to replace the red blood cells.
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How often can I give?
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Whole
blood donors may give once every 56 days in order to allow
plenty of time to replenish their red cells.
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What will I feel like after
I donate?
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Must
people feel fine. After
donating, drink extra liquids for the next 2 days.
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What happens to my blood
after I donate?
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Your
blood will undergo rigorous testing procedures.
In addition to blood typing, the tests include screening
for hepatitis, syphilis, and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
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How will my blood be used
by patients?
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The
unit of blood you give may be used to help several lives.
Your blood can be separated into red cells, platelets,
and plasma. Red
blood cells may be used to treat patients who are anemic.
Plasma can be used to treat patients in shock due to
fluid loss as a result of burns.
Platelets are used to help treat patients with leukemia.
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Will I find out my blood
type?
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Yes.
After your donation you will be sent a blood donor card with
your blood type and cholesterol level printed on it.
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