Why should I give my blood voluntarily when BloodSource sells it?
There are many costs associated with collecting, processing, testing, and distributing blood. BloodSource charges a processing fee to recover these costs. Maintaining a high quality blood supply at the lowest possible cost ensures that every patient who needs blood has the opportunity to receive it.
Aren't there enough people giving blood already?
BloodSource must collect about 700 units of blood per day to meet local demands. But only 38 percent of people in the U.S. are eligible to donate, and less than 10 percent actually do. Consequently, the lives of many depend on the generosity of a few.
Is it safe to give blood?
Yes. Sterile, disposable needles are used only once for each donation. The only blood you are exposed to is your own. It is not possible to contract any infectious disease from the blood donation process.
Will I feel weak from giving blood?
For Whole Blood donations, only about one pint is taken, no more. You have about two pints of blood for every 25 pounds of body weight, and you body makes new blood constantly. After giving blood, most people can resume their normal activities.
Can I give blood if I am anemic?
A trained technician will test a drop of your blood before you donate. If you are anemic, you will not be permitted to donate on that day. However, in healthy individuals, anemia is not a permanent condition. If you were told during a previous donation you were anemic, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot give blood now.
My blood type is so common, do you really need it?
BloodSource actually needs regular donations from donors of all blood types throughout the year. Because a higher percentage of patients need the common types, the demand for donors is constant.
Is the blood supply safe?
The blood supply is very safe. Several measures ensure that blood is as safe as possible for patients including the use of volunteer blood donors, confidential medical history interviews, and numerous confidential tests on every pint of blood:
- ABO and Rh typing
- Test for unexpected red cell antibodies
- Test for antibodies to HIV
- Test for exposure to viral hepatitis
- Test for rare leukemia virus
- Tests for Hepatitis B and C
- Test for syphilis antibodies
- Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT) for recent hepatitis, HIV infections or West Nile Virus
- Chagas
Why does BloodSource take a blood sample from my finger?
Approximately 13 percent of those individuals who register to donate are temporarily deferred, and the majority of deferrals are due to low red blood cell levels. To determine a donor's red cell level a drop of blood will be taken from the fingertip and checked.
Is one blood type more common than another?
Yes. If there are 100 people in a room, 46 will have type O blood, 40 will have type A, ten will have type B and four will have type AB. It is important that all types of blood are collected.
Can I find out my blood type?
Yes. About four weeks after your first blood donation, BloodSource will mail you a blood donor card with your blood type.
Who can give blood?
To ensure the well-being of our donors as well as the safety of the community blood supply, donors must meet a number of requirements before giving blood.
To give blood, you must:
- be in generally good health, free from cold or flu symptoms for at least 48 hours before giving blood.
- be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent).
- weigh at least 110 pounds.
- bring photo identification or donor card.
You cannot give blood, if you:
- had hepatitis after age ten.
- have severe heart problems (high blood pressure that is under control is okay; however, it must be no higher than 180 systolic and 100 diastolic).
- are pregnant or have been pregnant in the last six weeks.
- have AIDS, are at risk for AIDS, or have had sexual contact in the past year with anyone at risk for AIDS.
- had leukemia, melanoma or myeloma. Superficial skin cancer is okay. Most other types of cancer are acceptable if symptom-free one year after last treatment.
Eligibility questions?
Call 800-995-4420
What if I am on medication?
Most medications, including allergy medicines, vitamins, aspirin, birth control and blood pressure pills, do not effect your eligibility. Be sure to tell the medical interviewer what medications you are taking or have recently taken.
Acceptable medications (can be taken before donation):
- allergy medications
- birth control pills
- blood pressure medication
- depression medication
- diet pills
- diuretics
- female hormone pills
- Tylenol (in moderate doses)
- thyroid medications (if donor is symptom-free)
Medications that are not acceptable:
- Tegison (cannot donate if ever taken)
- Soriatane (cannot donate for three years after last dose)
- Dutasteride (cannot donate for six months after last dose)
Temporary deferral required for:
- Accutane: one month deferral
- Antibiotics: at least 72-hour deferral in most cases, unless used for preventive reasons
Are there special circumstances that affect my eligibility to give blood?
Yes. The following are potential limitations to your eligibility to give blood:
Acne treatment: OK if taking antibiotics for acne, but one-month wait after having taken Accutane (isotretinoin).
AIDS: You cannot give blood if you are in a high-risk group for contracting AIDS. For a complete list of behaviors that disqualify people from giving blood because of high risk for AIDS, please call (800)995-4420.
Allergy: Antihistamines and/or allergy injections okay.
Body Piercing: Ear piecing is okay if performed in a jewelry store or doctor's office with new, sterile earrings. Otherwise, you must wait one-year from time of procedure.
Cancer: Eligible one year after treatment is completed for most cancers except melanoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
Cold/Flu: Must be symptom-free for at least 48 hours. Do not give blood if you have a fever, stomach or body aches, chills, diarrhea, or sore throat.
Diabetes: Acceptable if controlled by diet or medication, with no complications, and no medication change for two weeks.
Drugs/Alcohol: If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, do not give blood. I.V. drug users are at great risk for hepatitis and AIDS and may not give blood.
Hepatitis/Yellow Jaundice: Permanent ineligibility of infected after age ten.
Pregnancy: Cannot donate during pregnancy. Wait six weeks after normal delivery. For Caesarean births, wait at least six weeks after doctor's release. Nursing mothers may give blood.
Tattoos: Wait one year from time of procedure.
Travel: Due to the theoretical risk of a disease in cattle (Mad Cow Disease), travel to some areas of the world could result in a deferral. (Please inquire with medical staff for specific locations.)
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