Overview
Blood donation is a voluntary procedure that can help save the lives of others. There are several types of blood donation. Each type helps meet different medical needs.
Why it's done
You agree to have blood drawn so that it can be given to someone who needs a blood transfusion.
Millions of people need blood transfusions each year. Some may need blood during surgery. Others depend on it after an accident or because they have a disease that requires blood components. Blood donation makes all of this possible. There is no substitute for human blood — all transfusions use blood from a donor.
How you prepare
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible to donate whole blood, plasma or platelets, you must be:
- In good health.
- At least 16 or 17 years old, depending on the law in your state. Some states allow legal minors to donate with parent permission. While there's no legal upper age limit, policies may vary between individual donor centers.
- At least 110 pounds (about 50 kilograms).
- Able to pass the physical and health-history assessments.
Eligibility requirements differ slightly between different types of blood donation.
Food and medications
Before your blood donation:
- Get plenty of sleep the night before you plan to donate.
- Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as a hamburger, fries or ice cream.
- Drink plenty of water before the donation.
- Check to see if any medications you are taking or recently took would prevent you from donating. For example, if you are a platelet donor, you must not take aspirin for two days prior to donating. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing any medications.
- Wear a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up.
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