Locations:
Blood donation is a procedure in which you give blood. Donating blood can help save lives through blood transfusions. Most people can donate blood as long as they’re in good health. But there are certain blood donation requirements and certain disqualifications. Blood donation is typically a quick way to help people in need.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Blood donation is an important part of healthcare in the United States and around the world. The act of donating blood can help save lives. Each day, people in hospitals across the U.S. need lifesaving blood transfusions. Blood transfusions help treat people who:
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
About 11 million people in the U.S. donate blood every year, and people receive more than 14 million units of blood through blood transfusions. One unit contains about 1 pint of blood.
You give 1 pint of blood each time you donate. You can donate blood up to six times each year. A healthy body can regenerate, or make more, blood in about four to six weeks. Donating 1 pint is a small amount of your body’s total blood supply. Typically, there are about 10 to 12 pints of blood in a person’s body.
Blood is essential for life. It contains components that transport oxygen throughout your body and also fight infection. There’s no artificial substitute for blood — only your body can make blood. Many people depend on lifesaving transfusions for severe medical conditions. Healthcare providers can use four separate components of your blood:
Advertisement
There are some basic blood donation requirements you must meet to ensure the safety of both you and the people receiving your blood. Most people can donate blood as long as they’re in good health. If you have a cold or the flu on your scheduled day to give blood, you should cancel your appointment and reschedule once you’re feeling better.
In addition, other health concerns can temporarily prevent you from giving blood, such as:
Other previous and current health concerns will permanently prevent you from giving blood. Blood donation disqualifications include:
In general, you must be at least 17 years old to donate blood. In some U.S. states, you can donate blood at 16 years old with a parent or guardian’s consent. There’s no upper age limit for blood donation.
For your safety, you must weigh at least 110 pounds to donate blood. Students 18 years old or younger may have to meet additional height and weight requirements. There’s no upper weight limit for blood donation.
If you have diabetes and insulin or oral medications help you manage it, you’re eligible to donate blood.
If you have active herpes or a cold sore, you can’t donate until the lesions are dry and almost healed. But as long as you’re feeling healthy, you can donate blood if you have certain sexually transmitted infections like genital herpes. You can also donate with STIs such as chlamydia and HPV warts.
However, if you have syphilis or gonorrhea, you should wait to donate blood. Three months after you’ve completed treatment, it’s acceptable to donate.
The use of cannabis won’t disqualify you from donating blood. There are no data available that detail how long you should wait between smoking weed and donating blood. However, you shouldn’t go to a blood donation center if marijuana use makes it hard to remember or understand things.
People who are pregnant aren’t eligible to donate. You should wait six weeks after giving birth before donating blood.
If you live in a state that doesn’t regulate tattoo facilities, you should wait three months after getting a new tattoo before donating blood. Check with your state’s department of health for more information.
Blood donation centers and blood drives are located across the United States and around the world. To find a place to donate blood, search online for “blood donation near me” or look on the American Red Cross’s website.
Advertisement
Before you donate blood, you should eat a nutritious meal that includes iron-rich foods. You’ll want to choose non-fatty foods such as lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. Foods you may want to eat include:
You should also drink two to three glasses of water before donating blood, including a glass 10 to 30 minutes before your appointment.
Donating blood is generally simple and quick. It takes a total of about one hour of your time. Although the actual donation time is about 10 minutes, there are some items you’ll need to take care of before and after the donation process.
When you arrive to donate blood, you’ll need to show an ID, like a driver’s license or passport. A person working at the blood donation center will ask you several health questions, including what types of medication you’re taking. This includes prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. The questions are personal. It’s important to read all the information carefully and answer all the questions honestly. Your answers are kept confidential.
A worker will also do a quick exam to ensure you’re healthy enough to give blood. A nurse or technician will take your temperature, blood pressure and pulse. The technician will also take a small sample of your blood with a finger stick to make sure your hemoglobin isn’t low.
Advertisement
During the actual blood donation, you’ll either be lying down or sitting in a chair. First, the nurse or technician will clean the area inside of your elbow with antiseptic. Next, they’ll insert a needle into a vein in your arm and draw the blood out of your body. One pint of blood is taken when you donate. It’s not usually painful, but you’ll feel a prick when the needle goes through your skin.
Afterward, a blood drive worker will give you a small snack and something to drink. They’ll ask you to remain seated for about 15 minutes to make sure you don’t experience any side effects or problems. You can leave after you’ve rested. The worker will send you home with instructions to take it easy, drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous exercise for the next day or so.
Most people describe only feeling the needle pricking their skin as it enters, without other discomfort. Very few donors have other issues during or after donating.
After giving blood, some people may feel a little dizzy or weak. That’s why you must rest for several minutes before leaving. It’s also best to eat a snack and have a drink of water or juice right after you donate blood.
A technician will test your donation for blood type and certain infectious diseases. Each pint of donated blood goes through specific laboratory tests for infectious diseases before a recipient can use it. If it doesn’t pass these tests, they can’t use your blood. The technician will safely throw away your blood, and someone will notify you.
Advertisement
After initial testing, your blood goes to a lab where a technician again tests it for blood type. Then, they’ll separate the components of your blood. Your blood will be ready to use one to two days after collection.
Volunteer blood donations will go to people who need blood the most. Typical recipients are people who need:
You can also donate blood for use by a family member or friend who has the same blood type as you. This is called a directed donation.
Sometimes, a healthy person can donate blood before a nonemergency surgery. This blood is stored and available for surgery only for the person who donated it. This is especially helpful for people who have difficulty finding blood because of antibodies. This is called an autologous donation.
Donating blood can save someone’s life. One pint of your blood can save up to three lives. There’s always a need for blood. Healthcare providers use blood every hour of every day at hospitals across the country and the world. They use blood during surgeries and for the treatment of injuries and chronic illnesses in people of all ages.
Most donors don’t experience discomfort after donating. You may feel lightheaded, tired or dizzy after giving blood, so you shouldn’t plan to do anything strenuous after donating. The blood donation center will give you information afterward on how to care for your bandage and other instructions.
Blood drive workers use sterile materials one time and safely discard them after use. This is for the safety of the donor, recipient and blood drive staff.
After donating blood, you’ll be able to return to your routine soon. It’s best to follow the donation center’s instructions after your donation. It’s also important to immediately let the donation center know if you think of health information that you didn’t inform them of previously. You should also let them know if you develop other issues such as fever and muscle aches. If you’re a regular donor, talk with your healthcare provider about adding multivitamins to your diet. You want to make sure you’re not depleting your iron and other vitamins when giving blood.
Because a healthy body continues to make blood, new red blood cells will replace donated blood cells in about four to six weeks. It’s safe to donate blood every 56 days, up to six times a year. Your donation frequency may be shorter or longer depending on the type of blood component you’re donating.
No. You can’t donate blood for money. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is concerned that offering money for blood would encourage people to lie about their health. This could potentially jeopardize the safety of the blood supply.
But you can receive money for donating blood plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood that’s full of proteins and antibodies. Scientists use plasma to develop life-saving medicines. Plasma isn’t used for blood transfusions, so companies can pay donors.
Blood donation is a true gift you can give to others in need. Each day, blood donors help people of all ages access lifesaving care. People may use your blood to treat traumatic injuries and burn victims. Or they may use it during heart surgeries or organ transplants. Your blood can help people with cancer and other medical conditions. If you’re interested in donating blood, talk to a healthcare provider for more information.
Last reviewed on 11/15/2024.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
