Frequently Asked Questions

Blood Donation Questions

Yes. Donating blood is safe. The supplies used to collect blood are sterile and only used once.
Each state sets the minimum blood donor age. You must be at least 16 or 17-years-old depending on your state. Some blood centers may have an upper age limit. Please call and check with your local blood center for more information.
Many medications are acceptable. Consult your physician to be sure you’re healthy enough to donate and ask your community blood center medical staff if you have questions about your eligibility. Do not assume that you are ineligible without inquiring first.
Travel to certain countries may prevent you from donating blood. Check with your blood center if you have questions on travel-related deferrals.
Recent vaccinations may prevent you from donating blood. Flu vaccines do no make you ineligible. Contact your blood center to request further information.
Yes. Screening questions must be asked of all donors at each donation. This is required by the Food and Drug Administration.

All blood donations are processed and available for use between 24 and 48 hours after collection.

  • Whole blood is processed into components (red cells, platelets, plasma).
  • After processing, the red cells can be stored for up to 42 days.
  • Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to 12 months.
  • Platelets (from whole blood or by apheresis) must be used within five days.
The process for whole blood donation usually takes about one hour with the collection itself usually lasting only about 10 minutes. Expect to spend about two hours for an apheresis platelet collection. The donation process includes registration, a brief medical screening, blood collection, and refreshments.
Women have about 10 pints, and men about 12 pints of blood in their bodies.

Red Cells – these give your blood its red color and carry oxygen to your organs and tissues.

Platelets – the very small colorless cell fragments in your blood whose main function is to stop bleeding.

Plasma – the liquid portion of your blood that transports water and nutrients to your body’s tissues.

You can donate whole blood every 56 days. Red blood cells will return to normal levels within approximately two weeks of donation. You can donate platelets (apheresis donation) as much as twice in a 7- day period – or up to 24 times in a rolling 12 months. Platelet and plasma components are replaced in the body more quickly than red cells. Platelets will return to normal levels within a few hours of donating. Plasma, the liquid portion of your blood, takes a couple of days.
Double red cell donations are performed using an apheresis machine, where the actual donation takes about 30-35 minutes, and allow you to donate two pints of red cells.
The blood supply is safe. Blood donor eligibility standards, individual donor screening, laboratory testing, and donor record checks are in place at donor centers to help ensure the safety of blood transfusions.

Type O negative is the universal donor and can give blood to any other blood type. Only 8% of the U.S. population has O negative blood.

AB positive is the universal recipient and can receive blood from any other blood type. Only 2.5% of the U.S. population has AB positive blood.

Plasma Donation Questions

Health individuals between 18-70 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds (50kg) that live in the 100-mile radius of our location can donate. All individuals must pass a medical exam, a medical history screening, and testing for transmissible viruses before their donated plasma can be used for medicine.

You must have a pre-donation physical which includes answering medical history questions, tests for viruses such as HIV and hepatitis, and evaluating your protein and hemoglobin levels.

Yes. Your plasma donation is performed in a highly controlled, sterile environment by professionally trained medical staff. All plasma collection equipment that comes into contact with you is used only once to eliminate the possibility of transmitting viral infections.

Most people compare the feeling of the needle to a mild bee sting. You will also be required to have a finger stick test each time you donate so the collection center medical staff can evaluate your protein and hemoglobin levels.

Your first donation will take approximately two hours. Return visits on average take about 1 hour.

Donating plasma is similar to giving blood. A needle is placed into a vein in your arm. Plasma is collected through a process called plasmapheresis and is conducted in cycles that may take up to an hour. Whole blood is drawn, then the plasma is separated from the red blood cells and other cellular components. These cells are returned to your body with sterile saline solution to help the body replace the plasma removed from the whole blood.

Your plasma is used to manufacture plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) for such as immunoglobulin, albumin, Alpha-1 Anti Trypsin, clotting factors, etc. This is used by patients that suffer from immune disorders, hemophilia and in critical care settings.

For your first time donating, you will receive a physical examination. You will also need to fill out a Donor History Questionnaire (which you will need to fill out on subsequent visits as well).

Life Plasma is a walk-in facility, so you do not need an appointment to donate.

  • Social Security Card (or any document showing your name and SSN such as a 1099, W2, tax return, etc.)
  • Drivers license or any Photo I.D. with your current address (If your address has changed, a mail in the last 30 days with your name and current address is needed as well)

Payments are distributed onto a debit card, which is then added to on subsequent donations.

Platelets Donation Questions

Platelet donation is a little different than a regular whole blood donation. Here’s how:

  • Platelets can only be donated at select American Red Cross Donation Centers and it requires an appointment. They cannot be given at a blood drive.
  • Platelet donation uses a machine to extract just your platelets and then returns the rest of your blood back to you.
  • From start to finish, it takes about three hours to donate platelets.
  • Both arms are used during a platelet donation. This is because blood is drawn from one arm then the platelets are extracted using a machine, and the remaining blood components are returned to you through the other arm.
  • You will be able to provide in one platelet donation what would normally be collected from up to five whole blood donations. In fact, some platelet donations yield enough platelets for two or three patients.
  • You may be able to donate platelets up to 24 times a year compared to a maximum of 6 times a year for a whole blood donation.
  • Here’s a quick illustration of what happens during a platelet donation:
    • A relatively small amount of blood is drawn from your arm and goes into a machine called a blood cell separator.
    • This blood is rapidly spun, which forces the platelets to separate from the other blood components.
    • These cells then go into a sterile, single-use plastic bag.
    • Meanwhile, the rest of your blood – the plasma, red cells and white cells – is returned to you.
    • This cycle is repeated several times. A single donation of platelets often constitutes several transfusable platelet units.
  • Platelets are in constant demand by hospitals.
  • After your platelet donation, they are immediately tested and prepared for delivery to a hospital. On average, platelets are transfused within 3 days of donation.
  • About 2 million units of platelets are transfused each year in the U.S. 
  • Every 15 seconds someone in the U.S. needs platelets.
  • Here’s who they help:
    • Platelets give cancer patients the strength they need to keep fighting. While cancer patients undergo treatment, a major side effect is low platelet count.  Without a platelet transfusion cancer patients face life-threatening bleeding because platelets help blood to clot.
    • Platelets also help patients survive major surgeries or serious injuries. After major surgery or serious injury, patients may need platelets to replace those lost during bleeding. Platelets keep them alive while they recover.
    • Platelets give strength to patients with blood disorders and those with transplants. Platelets transfusions go a long way to help keep these patients going and live more active, healthy lives.
  • Because platelets must be used within five days, new donors are needed every day. That’s why we need you.
  • From start to finish, it takes about three hours to donate platelets. It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete the health history questionnaire and for the machine to be personally set-up for you. From there you can expect to be donating for about two hours followed by enjoying a snack in the refreshment area.
  • This is because it takes time to separate and collect the platelets from the other blood components. During the process, platelets are removed from your blood and other fluids are returned to you.  
  • During your donation you can relax, watch a movie, listen to music…in a few hours you’ll have donated enough platelets to help as many as three patients. 
  • Many donors say platelet donation is their ‘me time’ to unwind from the daily stresses of life while helping save lives.
  • Knowing you’re helping cancer patients have a good day when each day counts.
  • A platelet donation can provide a full dose of platelets for a patient, sometimes up to three patients. Many physicians and hospitals prefer it for patients requiring a platelet transfusion.
  • A smaller needle is used for a platelet donation compared to a traditional whole blood donation so some donors find it to be more comfortable.
  • Because you’re getting fluids and red cells back after donating platelets, some donors say they feel less sluggish afterwards. 
  • Many donors say platelet donation is their ‘me time’ to unwind from the daily stresses of life while helping save lives.
  • Donating platelets is a safe process.
  • Platelet donations are performed in a highly-controlled environment by professionally trained staff.
  • Each donation is collected through a new, sterile needle that is used once and then discarded.
  • Although most people feel fine after donating platelets, a small number of people may feel lightheaded or dizzy, have an upset stomach or experience a bruise or pain where the needle was inserted.
  • Only for a moment. Pinch the fleshy, soft underside of your arm. That pinch is similar to what you will feel when the needle is inserted in each arm.
  • A smaller needle is used for a platelet donation compared to a traditional whole blood donation so some donors find it to be more comfortable.
  • Some donors experience chills as fluids are returned to you. There are blankets available to help keep warm. In addition, some donors may feel a slight tingling sensation. This is a mild response to the anticoagulant used when the blood is returned to your body and can be quickly alleviated with calcium. If this sensation occurs, the staff will give you a calcium supplement like Tums®.

Platelets may be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Imagine if every platelet donor gave at least 10 times a year and the impact it would have!

  • You need an appointment to donate platelets. Schedule online, through the free Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
  • RapidPass® can speed up your appointment by letting you start the blood donation process no matter where you are by using your mobile device or a desktop computer. Answer questions and handle most of the paperwork before you show up. 
  • Please bring your Red Cross donor card or photo I.D. or pull it up via the Blood Donor App.
  • Do not take aspirin products for at least 2 full calendar days prior to your appointment. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you may donate platelets is Thursday.
  • Plan to be in the donation chair for about three hours to ensure a full donation.
  • Get a good night’s rest prior to your donation.
  • You should consume plenty of calcium-rich foods and beverages for a few days prior to your donation.
  • You may donate platelets every seven days, up to 24 times a year.
  • Read more about eligibility requirements including travel and medication restrictions.
  • At age 16-17 depending on state, individuals in generally good health who meet weight and height requirements may become eligible to donate platelets.
  • Please review our eligibility requirements as some states require parental consent. You can also find more information about travel and medication restrictions.
  • When donating, bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of ID.
  •  Do not take aspirin products for at least 2 full calendar days prior to your appointment. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you may donate platelets is Thursday.
  • Eligibility requirements for platelet donation are the same as a whole blood donation. As long as you meet the minimum requirements for donating whole blood you may be able to donate platelets.
  • Recently, it has been discovered that women who have previously been pregnant are more likely to carry antibodies that are believed to sometimes cause post-transfusion complications for blood and platelet recipients.  Until these complications are better understood, the Red Cross will ask new female platelet donors about their pregnancy history and test those that have been pregnant for these antibodies. A positive result has no impact on the health of the donor, however donors who are positive for antibodies may be advised that they are better suited to a whole blood or Power Red donation.
  • All blood types, except for type O negative and type B negative, are encouraged to try platelet donation. Type O negative and type B negative can make the most impact for patients in need by continuing to give whole blood or a Power Red donation.
  • If you are type AB you can make the most impact by donating plasma. It’s similar to donating platelets and is offered at select American Red Cross Donation Centers. When you make a plasma donation, you can donate up to three times the plasma that would be collected during a regular blood or platelet donation, allowing you to make more impact with fewer donations.

Yes, you can donate platelets and plasma at the same time! While each platelet donation does include a small amount of plasma to help store platelets, some platelet donations may also include a separate unit or two of plasma for hospital patients. That’s called a platelet donation with concurrent plasma and it may be given once every 28 days. You can continue to give platelets at your preferred frequency – many donors find a consistent every-other-week appointment works best for them. During health history, staff evaluate each platelet donor’s recent donation data to determine if that day’s platelet donation will also include concurrent plasma. At your next platelet donation, ask your phlebotomist if you’ll be able to donate platelets and concurrent plasma together that day!