|
Who may
donate blood?
|
|
Generally,
anyone in good health can donate.
Make sure you do not have a cold, flu or sore
throat at the time of donation.
|
|
How old do I have to
be to donate?
|
|
You must
be 18 years old, or 17 years old with a parent’s or
legal guardian’s written consent.
|
|
Is
there a maximum age limit for donating blood?
|
|
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.
|
|
How
much blood do I have in my body?
|
|
The
average adult has between 8-12 pints.
You can easily spare one.
|
|
Do
I need identification?
|
|
Yes,
bring some form of official identification with your
signature or photo and name.
|
|
How
much do you have to weigh to donate blood?
|
|
The
minimum weight is 110 lbs. There is no maximum limit.
|
|
I
have been turned away in the past for having low iron,
should I still try to donate?
|
|
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.
|
|
Can
I donate if I have high blood pressure?
|
|
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.
|
|
I
have allergies, will that stop me from donating?
|
|
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.
|
|
What
kinds of medication will prevent me from donating?
|
|
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.
|
|
Can
I donate after having a flu shot?
|
|
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
|
|
What
about people with diabetes?
|
|
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.
|
|
How
long do I have to wait after having my ears pierced
or getting a tattoo?
|
|
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.
|
|
I
just returned from a cruise to the Caribbean, could
I donate now?
|
|
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.
|
|
I
heard you are not taking people who traveled to England?
|
|
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.
|
|
I
have a heart condition, can I donate?
|
|
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.
|
|
Can
I get AIDS from donating blood?
|
|
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.
|
|
How long does it take
to donate?
|
|
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.
|
|
Can I eat before I
donate?
|
|
Yes,
we prefer if you eat within 4 hours of donating.
|
|
How long will it take
to replace my blood?
|
|
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.
|
|
How often can I give?
|
|
Whole
blood donors may give once every 56 days in order to
allow plenty of time to replenish their red cells.
|
|
What will I feel like
after I donate?
|
|
Must
people feel fine.
After donating, drink extra liquids for the next
2 days.
|
|
What happens to my
blood after I donate?
|
|
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).
|
|
How will my blood be
used by patients?
|
|
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.
|
|
Will I find out my
blood type?
|
|
Yes.
After your donation you will be sent a blood donor card
with your blood type and cholesterol level printed on
it.
|