Who can donate?
- Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
- Donors must be in good health and feel well on the day of donation.
- All donors must show a photo ID at the time of donation with name and date of birth.
How often can I donate?
- Whole Blood donors may donate every 8 weeks or 56 days.
- Platelets donors may donate every 3 days.
Is it safe to give blood?
- Yes! The needle and bags used to collect the blood are used only once, and then discarded. You cannot get HIV or other infectious diseases from donating blood.
May I eat before I donate?
- Yes. It is very important to drink plenty of fluids and eat a good meal within 4 hours before donating. It is also important to have a good night's sleep before donating.
What should I bring with me when I come to donate?
- You must show a photo ID, such as a Driver's License. In addition, it is helpful if you bring the following:
- A list of medications you are taking.
- A list of places you have visited outside of the U.S. in the past 3 years.
How long does it take to donate?
- It takes about an hour to go through the steps to donate Whole Blood and a little longer for other donation types:
- Registration. Give us your name, date of birth, address and other demographic information.
- Medical Screening. Answer confidential medical history questions and have a finger stick to get a hemoglobin check from a drop of blood. Also have a blood pressure, temperature and pulse check.
- Blood Donation. Donate a unit of blood through a needle in your arm which takes about 10 minutes. This step may be longer for different donation types.
- Snacks. Stay 15 minutes after your donation and enjoy refreshments.
Does it hurt?
- There is a little sting when the needle is inserted, but you should be comfortable during the donation.
How will I feel after I donate?
- Most people feel fine after donation. You will enjoy refreshments after you donate and we will instruct you to drink plenty of fluids for the next 24 hours.
Can I exercise right after donating?
- Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for about 24 hours after donation. Most donors can resume normal activity after that time.
Is my blood tested before it is used?
- Every time you donate, blood samples are taken for testing. These tests include your blood type and testing for viruses such as Hepatitis and HIV. IIf your blood tests show that your blood may make someone sick, it will not be used and you are notified. Please note we are not a testing facility. You may contact us for a list of testing facilities.
Why do I have to answer the same medical history questions every time I donate?
- To make sure that we are providing the patient with the safest possible blood, the FDA requires that we ask about your medical history every time you donate.
What blood type is the universal donor?
- Type O- is the universal donor and can give red blood cells to any other blood type.
- Type AB+ is the universal recipient and can receive red blood cells from any other blood type.
- Type AB- is the universal plasma donor and can give plasma to any other blood type.
What is the most common blood type?
- This is an average distribution of the blood types in the United States. The distribution may be different for specific ethnic groups:
- O Rh-positive - 38 percent
- O Rh-negative - 7 percent
- A Rh-positive - 34 percent
- A Rh-negative - 6 percent
- B Rh-positive - 9 percent
- B Rh-negative - 2 percent
- AB Rh-positive - 3 percent
- AB Rh-negative - 1 percent
How much blood do I have in my body?
- As a rule, women have approximately 10 pints and men have approximately 12 pints of blood.
What do the different blood components do?
- Plasma: Fluid portion of blood, contains water, albumin, hormones and clotting factors.
- Red Cells: Carry oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues in the body and return carbon dioxide to the lungs.
- White Cells: Protect against disease and infections.
- Platelets: Small plate-shaped cells that cluster together to help form blood clots when bleeding occurs.
Where does my blood go after I donate?
- After you donate, your unit of Whole Blood is divided into different components and transfused into patients who need the specific component. Some examples of how your blood is used are:
- Auto Accident: 50 units.
- Heart Surgery: 60 Red Cells, 2 Platelets from Automated Collection.
- Organ Transplant: 10-40 Red Cells, 5-10 Platelets, 20 Cryoprecipitate, 25 Fresh Frozen Plasma.
- Bone Marrow Transplant: 20 Red Cells, 25-100 Platelets.
- Burn - 3rd Degree: 20 Red Blood Cells 20 Platelets.
What blood type is needed the most?
- All blood types are needed for blood donation. We often have requests for the following:
- All donation types - Whole Blood and Platelets.
- AB donors - Plasma.
- O, A and B donors - Red Cells.
Does the Stony Brook Blood University Blood Bank pay donors?
- The Stony Brook University Blood Bank depends on the generosity of volunteer donors since studies have shown that the safest blood comes from volunteer donors.