FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How often can I donate?
How can I maintain my blood donor eligibility?
Can I donate if I take Aspirin?
Should I eat before I donate?
How long does donating take?
Can I donate if I have high or low blood pressure?
How much blood can I give?
Does donating blood hurt?
Can I donate if I have had a tattoo or body piercing recently?
How will I feel after donating blood?
Will I need to cut back my activities after donating?
Will I become anemic after donating?
Can I catch AIDS (or anything else) by donating blood?
Will I be notified if my blood is discarded after donation?
Will I learn my blood group, blood type and cholesterol level after I donate?
What is Commit for Life?
Why should I Commit for Life?
How do I Commit for Life?
If I can’t donate, how can I help others Commit for Life?
How often can I donate?
You can donate whole blood every eight weeks. Plasma or platelets can be donated once a week.
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How can I maintain my blood donor eligibility?
The most frequent reason for deferring donors is low iron in the blood. If you tend to be anemic, take vitamins with extra iron and eat foods high in iron, such as dried beans, leafy green vegetables, and red meat. Start eating these food two to three weeks before trying to donate. Learn how to improve iron intake in your diet.
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Can I donate if I take aspirin?
Yes, you can donate whole blood or double red cells may be donated. Learn more about what medications contain aspirin.
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Should I eat before I donate?
Yes. Donors are encouraged to eat a low-fat meal before donating blood.
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How long does donating take?
The average drawing time is seven to 10 minutes; the entire process takes approximately 30 minutes.
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Can I donate if I have high or low blood pressure?
Each donor's blood pressure is tested, but generally most can donate. If you are on blood pressure medication and want to donate, continue taking your medication. Taking blood pressure medication will not disqualify you.
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How much blood can I give?
A donation is approximately one pint. Blood accounts for approximately 0.7 percent of a person's weight. The average person has 10 to 12 pints in circulation at any time.
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Does donating blood hurt?
A single prick to your finger for a blood sample and a slight pinch may be felt when the collection is started. The actual collection should cause no pain.
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Can I donate if I have had a tattoo or body piercing recently?
Donors who have undergone body piercing with non-sterile techniques will be deferred for one year. If ears have been pierced in a Texas licensed establishment, the donor may be accepted after one week.
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How will I feel after donating blood?
You will feel the same as you did before donating blood. Trained personnel staffing at each blood drive will make your donation experience very positive.
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Will I need to cut back my activities after donating?
In most cases, no. Follow common sense: replenish fluid loss by drinking extra fluids and eat well at your next meal. It's sometimes recommended that you not undertake strenuous exercise (jogging, etc.) for the next 24 hours.
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Will I become anemic after donating?
No. Your body will begin to replenish fluids and red cells immediately.
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Can I catch AIDS (or anything else) by donating blood?
No. The blood collection set is a sterile, single-use needle. Each needle is used only once and then discarded appropriately.
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Will I be notified if my blood is discarded after donation?
Donated blood undergoes several tests, including ones for hepatitis and the HIV antibody. If there is a problem, you will be notified by mail. All results are confidential and are never released over the phone. For more information on donor testing for infectious diseases, visit the American Association of Blood Banks' web site.
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Will I learn my blood group, blood type and cholesterol level after I donate?
St. Luke's Blood Donor Center sends information about your blood group, blood type, and cholesterol level.
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What is Commit for Life?
It is a partnership between you and St. Luke’s Blood Center that is focused on saving lives, today and in the future.
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Why should I Commit for Life?
There is no substitute for blood. A critical number of voluntary donations are needed every day to meet the need for blood in the region. However, we are consistently falling short and falling short means we may not have enough blood when it’s needed.
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How do I Commit for Life?
- Donate one time per quarter.
- Allow us to contact you.
- Spread the word about the importance of donating.
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If I can’t donate, how can I help others Commit for Life?
St. Luke’s Blood Center can arrange a scheduled blood drive for community organizations or employee groups. Just let us know, and we’ll take care of the details.
There is also more information online:
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