Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I become a blood donor?

Your blood donation helps local patients in our community.  Since one out of three people will require blood in their lifetime at some point it could be someone you know - a family member, friend or neighbor.

What are the minimum requirements to become a blood donor?

To become a blood donor you must be 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, and free of cold or flu symptoms.

How long does it take to donate?

A whole blood donation usually takes less than an hour and includes registration, a brief medical history, blood collection, and refreshments. The phlebotomy itself takes approximately 15 minutes. Expect to spend approximately 1 1/2 hours for an Apheresis collection.

Should I eat prior to blood donation?

Yes, it is recommended that you eat before donating.  It is also a good idea to drink plenty of fluids before and after donating.

May I still donate if I have high blood pressure? 

Yes, if your blood pressure is within certain limits. Check with one of our staff.

How often can I donate?

• You can donate platelets every two weeks
• You can donate plasma once every 4 weeks
• You can donate whole blood once every 8 weeks

How long does it take my blood to reach a patient in need?

All blood donations are processed and available for use within 48 hours. Whole blood is separated into components: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.  The red blood cells have a shelf-life of 42 days, platelets 5 days and plasma (when frozen) up to one year.

Why do blood shortages occur?

Shortages occur because only 5% of the population donates on a regular basis. During summer months and the winter holiday season this percentage drops.  Please consider donating often to help patients in our community.

Facts About Blood

• Every three seconds someone needs blood in the United States
• 37% of the US population is eligible to donate – only 5% do on a yearly basis.
• One out of every four people entering a hospital needs blood.
• Approximately 35,000 units of blood are used each day in the United States.
• Just one pint of donated blood can help save up to three lives.
• The average adult has 10 pints of blood in his or her body.
• There are four main blood types; A, B, AB, and O.
• One unit of blood can be separated into several components (red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate)
• Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow and transport oxygen to body tissue. The body replaces red blood cells approximately six weeks after donation. Refrigerated red cells can last up to 42 days.
• Plasma makes up 55% of blood volume and transports blood cells, clotting proteins, nutrients, and antibodies. The body replaces plasma within 24 hours of donation. Frozen plasma can be stored up to one year.
• Platelets are made in the bone marrow. The body replaces platelets within 72 hours of donation. Platelets are always in demand as they have a shelf life of five days.
• People who have been in car accidents and suffered massive blood loss can need transfusions of 50 units or more of red blood cells. Anemic patients need blood transfusions to increase their iron levels.
• Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, and patients undergoing open-heart surgery require platelet transfusions to survive. The average bone marrow transplant requires 120 units of platelets and about 20 units of red blood cells. Severe burn victims can use 20 units of platelets during their treatment.
• Apheresis is a special kind of blood donation that allows a donor to donate platelets or plasma.
• There is no substitute for human blood.

Facts About Blood Types

Blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) are inherited. The presence or absence of an Rh factor on the red blood cells is what makes your blood type positive or negative. Blood groups (A, B and O) and Rh types are descriptions of certain antigens found on red cells. People with type A blood have A antigens on their red blood cells and lack B antigens; people with type B blood have B antigens and lack A antigens; people with type AB blood have both antigens, and people with type O blood lack both A and B antigens.

In addition, blood is typed as either Rh-positive or Rh-negative, referring to the presence or absence of the Rh antigen, which is named for the fact that it was first discovered in the Rhesus monkey. Most people (about 85 percent) are Rh-positive, and that figure is even higher for African-Americans and Asians.

Out of 100 people, about:

• 38 will be O positive
• 7 will be O negative
• 34 will be A positive
• 6 will be A negative
• 8 will be B positive
• 2 will be B negative
• 4 will be AB positive
• 1 will be AB negative

Who Can Receive Whose Red Blood Cells:

• O negative can use O negative only
• O positive can use O positive or O negative
• A negative can use A negative or O negative
• A positive can use A positive, A negative, O positive or O negative
• B negative can use B negative or O negative
• B positive can use B positive, B negative, O positive or O negative
• AB negative can use AB negative, A negative, B negative or O negative
• AB positive can use All Blood Types

Notice that all blood types can receive O negative red blood cells. This is why O negative is used in emergencies when there is no time to determine the blood type of the patient. This is also why donors who are O negative are always in high demand.