overview
1. registration
You'll be asked to show a photo ID and provide some basic information for our records.
2. Screening
There are two steps to pre-donation screening: the mini-physical (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and hemoglobin check) and the Donor History Questionnaire. The DHQ has questions about your health history, travel, and other factors associated with an increased risk for infections that could be transmitted via blood transfusion. You will use a touch-screen computer to complete the questionnaire. Our staff will help you with any questions you may have.
You may wish to complete your Donor History questionnaire prior to the blood drive or donor center. You can use our EarlyQ system to do so, as long as you complete the questionnaire on the same day as your donation.
Donor Informed Consent Donor Informed Consent (Spanish)
Donor Informed Consent Donor Informed Consent (Spanish)
3. giving blood
After completing pre-donation screening, a phlebotomist will lead you to a reclining donor chair. Next, the phlebotomist will cleanse the area on your antecubital (inside of the elbow) where the needle will be inserted. A sterile, one-time use kit is used for each donation. This includes the collection bag, testing tubes, needle and all tubing. The process for whole blood donation will last about 8-10 minutes. Your phlebotomist will observe your donation from beginning to end and answer any questions you may have.
4. Post-Donation Fluids and Snacks
Following your donation, you will sit up on the donor chair and proceed to the donor canteen area to drink fluids and eat a light snack. Your body will begin replacing the cells and fluids you donated right away, so it's important to eat and drink right after your donation. Be sure to rest well and drink plenty of fluids before and after giving blood.