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A donor registration form is completed each time you donate blood. The form includes personal information and a health history.
A confidential screening with a LifeShare professional discussing your medical history follows the registration.
After the medical history screening a mini-physical is conducted. Your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin (iron level) are checked.
You are asked to lie back and relax on a donor bed. The arm from which you will donate is cleaned with an antiseptic and a sterile needle is inserted to begin the actual blood donation.
During the donation process (5-7 minutes) you will give about one pint of blood.
Following your donation, you will receive refreshments to help replace the fluids lost during the donation process.
If you donate at a LifeShare Center, please schedule your next donation appointment. We don't want to keep you waiting. Appointments are not necessary, but they help us manage our daily blood supply and blood center staffing.
As a part of the simple donation process, you receive a free health check. You could help as many as three to four patients with your one donation.
After the donation:
- Eat well for the next 24 hours;
- Increase your fluid intake for the next 24 - 48 hours;
- Do not use tobacco products for 30 minutes;
- Do not lift heavy objects or engage in strenuous activity for at least 2 - 4 hours;
- Leave your bandage on for about two hours.
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