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| Blood Center |
Can anyone give blood?
Most people can. In general, anyone who is at least 17 years of age and in good health and weighs 110 lbs. or more is eligible to donate.
You may NOT donate if you have had hepatitis, have a current heart condition other than a murmur, or have engaged in activities that may put you at risk for AIDS.
Should I donate if ...?
You will be temporarily deferred if you have acute
symptomatic flu, cold, or upper respiratory infection, have had close
contact with a person with hepatitis in the last 12 months, have an active
infection requiring medication, have been pregnant within the last six
weeks, have traveled to a malarial zone in the last 12 months, if tests
indicate your red cell level is too low or if you have been tattooed within
the last 12 months. Additional restrictions for travel, recent
US residence and medications may apply. Please call 1-888-723-7831 to
make an appointment, and to inquire about these restrictions if they pertain
to you.
450 ml. or 1 pint. This is 8-10% of the total in your system. You will feel a slight pinch when the needle is inserted. Most people
do not find this uncomfortable. YES! Each individual donation can be separated
into blood components (packed cells, plasma, cryoprecipitate) that can
benefit multiple patients. Your donation helps save lives. Five percent of all hospitalized patients receive blood transfusions.
The average use of each of these patients is about three pints. Leading
users are patients with cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal disease,
fractures and trauma, anemia, bone and joint abnormalities, organ transplants,
and lung, liver and kidney disease. NO! You CANNOT GET AIDS FROM DONATING
BLOOD. All of the equipment used for the donation process
is sterile, disposable, and used only one time and then discarded.
There is no danger of contracting any infectious disease by donating
blood. Most people feel fine after donating. It is important to follow the instructions
given to you to eat well, drink plenty of fluids and not over-exert
yourself. Donors should not do heavy lifting or strenuous exercise, fly
in airplanes or go scuba diving for a couple of days. You can give whole blood every 56 days. For a double red cell donation,
you must wait for 112 days to donate red cells again. Many donors donate
up to 6 times a year. Donors who give blood four times or more in a twelve-month period are
eligible for our Four Seasons Donor Club and receive
an attractive Four Seasons T-Shirt. Ask us about this
when you donate! You can prepare for donating by following a healthful, low fat
diet and getting a good nights sleep. Drink plenty of fluids starting the day before you
donate (caffeinated drinks do not count), and do not skip any
meals. If your red cell level is low, you can raise it by eating
foods high in iron. A chart (PDF file)
is available to help identify foods high in iron. Or, you can learn more about blood and donation by visiting other areas
of our web site, such as: How much blood will be taken?
Does it hurt?
Can my one little donation really help?
Who needs blood?
Can I get AIDS by donating blood?
How will I feel after donating?
How often may I donate blood?
How can I prepare for donating blood?
We hope your most important questions
have been answered!
Please click here to make an appointment if you wish.
