• How does the blood donation process work?
• 1. Registration- fill out paperwork and and show ID
  2. You will be asked some questions about your health history. Then you will have your temperature, hemoglobin, blood pressure, and pulse checked.
  3. The blood donation will be taken. This takes only 8-10 minutes!
  4. You will spend 10-15 minutes enjoying refreshments while your body adjusts to the slight decrease in fluid volume.
• How long will it take?
  1. The whole process from the time you arrive to the time you leave is about an hour.
  2. The blood donation itself only takes about 8-10 minutes

COVID-19

• Is it safe to give blood right now?
  1. Yes! Blood drives are essential to ensuring the health of the community. The Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration have issued statements encouraging blood donation for those who are well. It’s important to note that blood drives have high standards of safety and infection control.
• What does my COVID-19 vaccination status have to be in order to be eligible?
  1. All are welcome to donate regardless of vaccination status.

Medication and Vaccinations

1. Women on birth control are eligible to donate
2. Donors with diabetes who take insulin are eligible to donate as long as their diabetes is well controlled
3. In most cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor

Lifestyle

1. You must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible. Those who are 16 years old can donate with parent/guardian consent
2. Those who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Wait 6 weeks after giving birth to donate.
3. Those with tattoos are eligible to donate if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.
4. Those with piercings are eligible to donate if the instruments used were single-use equipment and disposable. Wait 3 months if a piercing was performed using any reusable instrument.

Source: redcrossblood.org