Family Health: Donating Blood: Giving the Gift of Life

Who Is Eligible to Give Blood?

In general, to give blood, you must:

What to Expect When Donating Blood

Giving blood may seem scary, but it is a simple process. By knowing what to expect, you can take the mystery—and the fear—out of giving blood.

When you arrive at the blood drive or center, you will go through an interview. The interview will be private and confidential.

Body temperature
Blood pressure and pulse
A drop of your blood to be sure you have enough red blood cells to donate safely

You'll be asked about your past and present health and lifestyle, and the Red Cross will answer any questions you may have. Depending on your answers, you may be deferred from donating, either temporarily or permanently.
If you are allergic to iodine, tape, or natural latex rubber, tell the interviewer so that the donation staff can substitute other materials.
You'll be given a form so you can let the Red Cross know, privately, if your blood is safe to give to another person.
Tell the interviewer if you:

Are not feeling well
Are running a fever
Have traveled out of the country lately, especially to less developed countries.

If at any time you decide that you should not give blood, you may walk away.

Now you are ready to give blood. The actual donation will take about 8-10 minutes.

The Red Cross staff member will cleanse an area of the arm. All of the supplies, including the needle, are sterile and are used only once—for you.
When the actual donation starts, you may feel a brief "sting" from the needle.
You will have given about a pint of blood when finished. Your body will replace the plasma (liquid part) in hours and the cells in a few weeks.
When you are finished, you will be given a form with:

Donation instructions
A number to call if you decide, after you leave the donation center, that your blood may not be safe to give to another person

When you are finished, you will be taken into a room and given some snacks (usually juice and cookies) for energy
Although most people feel fine before and after donating blood, a small number of people may experience:

Upset stomach
Faint or dizzy feeling
Black and blue mark, redness, or pain where the needle was inserted
Very rarely, a person may faint, have muscle spasms, and/or suffer nerve damage

You should not give blood if you have:

Had a tattoo within the last 12 months
Recently received certain vaccinations, check with your Red Cross Center for specifics
Ever had Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or if any blood relative (parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, or child) has or had it, or been told that your family is at risk for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Ever received a dura mater (or brain covering) transplant during head or brain surgery
Received an injection since 1980 of bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle in the United Kingdom, (due to the risk of mad cow disease)
Had hepatitis at or after the age of 11
Had malaria in the past three years
Spent long periods of time living in countries where mad cow disease is found
Been held in a correctional facility (including jail, prison, or detention center) for more than 72 straight hours in the past 12 months
Have or been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea or tested positive for syphilis in the past 12 months
Been raped in the past 12 months
Taken cocaine or any other street drug through your nose in the past 12 months
AIDS or one of its symptoms, including:

Done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. You are at risk for getting infected if you have:

Taken illegal or nonprescription drugs by needle, even once
Taken clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
Tested positive for any AIDS virus
Been given money or drugs for sex, since 1977
Had a sexual partner who puts you at risk for AIDS infection

Giving blood is a way you can give back to society. It's simple, free, and saves lives. A single blood donation can save up to three lives.