The Blood Donation Process

The donation process can take up to an hour, depending on how busy we are. The actual donation only takes around 8-10 minutes.

Registration

Let’s sign you in and start your eligibility assessment so we can take a look at everything together.
Don’t forget to bring your ID when you go.
Get familiar with blood donation process and related information

Provide a few answers to health history and travel questions for a quick, qualitative assessment of your individual risk.
Have you taken any prescription and/or over the counter medications
Quick Check of your pulse, temperature, hemoglobin level and blood pressure.

If you’re donating whole blood, we’ll cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand new sterile needle for the blood draw. (This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds.)
Other types of donations, such as platelets, are made using an apheresis machine which will be connected to both arms.
A whole blood donation takes about 8-10 minutes, during which you’ll be seated comfortably or lying down.
When approximately a pint of whole blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on your arm.
For platelets, the apheresis machine will collect a small amount of blood, remove the platelets, and return the rest of the blood through your other arm; this cycle will be repeated several times over about 2 hours.

After donating blood, you’ll have a snack and something to drink in the refreshment area.
You’ll leave after 10-15 minutes and continue your normal routine.
Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing you are helping to save lives.
Take a selfie, or simply share your good deed with friends. It may inspire them to become blood donors.

Blood Donation is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person.