The Blood Donation Process

Step One: Registration
When arrive for your donation, you will be asked to provide some type of photo ID. You will be asked for your name and date of birth, and will also have to supply your social security number.

Step Two: Health Screening
A trained staff member will check your temperature, blood pressure and pulse, as ]well as a drop of your blood (to check your iron level), to ensure that you are eligible to donate. A series of questions about your health and lifestyle will also be asked. All information during this process is done in private, and kept strictly confidential.

Most persons who are at least 17 years of age and weight at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood, but depending on the screening process, you may be deferred from donating, either temporarily or permanently. At this time, our staff member will also be able to answer any questions you might have. You will also be given a form to complete, where you can privately designate whether it is safe to give your blood to another person.

Step Three: The Blood Donation
Before the donation, a trained staff member will clean the area of the arm that will be used for your blood donation. All supplies used in this process, including the needle, are sterile and disposable; therefore, there is no chance of contracting any disease from the blood donation process.

The actual blood donation will only take 5-10 minutes, after which time our staff member will also review some post-donation instructions with you and answer any additional questions you may have.

Step Four: The Canteen
After your donation, you will be asked to spend about 10 minutes in our refreshment area, where our volunteers will provide you with some refreshments to replenish the sugar and fluids in your body.