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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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