1. Register
You’ll be asked to verify your name, address and birth date. You’ll need to provide identification and read an information sheet about your donation.

2. Mini-Physical and Interview
The mini-physical consists of checking your pulse, blood pressure, temperature and red cell level. In the confidential interview, a trained interviewer will ask questions about your general health and medical history, as well as questions concerning risk behaviors, foreign travel and other subjects.

Your mini-physical and interview are conducted to ensure that giving blood is healthy for you and that your blood is as safe as possible for the recipient(s). All information gathered during the physical and interview is kept strictly confidential.

3. Whole Blood Donation
The collection of a unit, about one pint, of blood takes about 10 minutes. You may feel a small pinch when the needle is inserted, but most donors do not feel any pain for the duration of the donation.

Once a unit has been collected, additional small tubes of blood will be collected for laboratory tests. All blood collection equipment is sterile and used only once.

4. Relax!
After your donation, you can enjoy some refreshments to help replenish your fluids. At this time, you have the option of scheduling your next donation appointment. After you’re done with relaxing and refreshments, you can resume your normal daily activities.

Read frequently asked questions about donating blood.