Our goal is to make it easy and convenient to donate.

Giving blood only takes about an hour of your time. You will be asked to fill out a confidential health questionnaire about your medical history and be given a “mini” physical to check your blood iron level, blood pressure, temperature and pulse. The actual donation process only takes about 15 minutes as you sit back in a comfortable chair and watch your favorite television show. After your donation, you’re invited to relax and have a light snack or juice. Afterwards, you can go back to your normal schedule.

Where to Go to Donate Blood

Who Can Donate

Donating blood is one of the few things a person can do that makes a real life-saving difference. For safety reasons, certain eligibility requirements must be met in order to donate. Details of each donor’s health and activities are discussed with a donor center nurse in a confidential setting prior to blood donation. The final determination for eligibility is made at that time.

Donor Eligibility Requirements:

  • Donors must be 17 years of age or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.
  • Blood Donation Minor Consent Form
  • Donors must be in good health and feeling well on day of donation.
  • Donors must have had no antibiotics or dental work three days prior to donation and no tattoos or body piercings in the past 12 months.
  • Donors should have a healthy meal and drink fluids within four hours before donating. It is best to avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages before donating.
  • Bring a PHOTO ID.
  • Plateletpheresis donors only: Do not take any aspirin or aspirin containing products or any anti-inflammatory medications (i.e., Ibuprofen or Aleve) 72 hours before your donation.

Directed Donations:

  • Directed donors must inform the donor center staff they are directly donating for a specific patient and provide the patient’s (recipient) name.
  • The recipient’s physician must provide a written order to collect directed donations prior to accepting donors for directed donations.
  • The donor’s blood type will not be determined before donation. If donor’s blood passes all tests, but is not of the appropriate blood type, it will automatically be released for use by other patients.


We ask that you do not donate if you:

  • Have had a cold, sore throat, infection or flu symptoms three days prior to do not feel well on day of donation.
  • Have an open mouth or skin sore on day of donation.
  • Have taken antibiotics in the past 72 hours.
  • Are pregnant now or in the last six weeks.
  • Have had a tattoo, ear or skin piercing, acupuncture, accidental needle stick or come in contact with someone else’s blood in last 3 months.
  • Have received a blood transfusion in the last 3 months.
  • Been in juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison for 72 hours or more consecutively in the last 12 months.
  • Have had or been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea in the last 3 months.
  • Been outside the United States or Canada in the last 3 years.
  • Have ever had malaria.
  • Have any type of cancer, including leukemia.
  • Had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis or lived with a person who has hepatitis in the last 12 months.
  • Between 1980 through 1996 have spent a total time of 3 months or more in the United Kingdom countries of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or the Falkland Islands.
  • Between 1980 through 2001 have spent time that adds up to 5 years or more in France or Ireland.
  • Have used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor in last 3 months.
  • Are male and had sexual contact with another male in last 3 months.
  • Are currently taking any medication prescribed by a doctor.
  • Have had a positive test for HIV/AIDS virus.
  • Have had sexual contact with anyone who has ever had HIV/AIDS or has ever had a positive test for the HIV/AIDS virus in last 3 months.
  • Have had sexual contact with a prostitute or anyone else who has ever taken money or drugs or other payment for sex in last 3 months.
  • Have had sexual contact with anyone who has ever used needles to take drugs or steroids, or anything not prescribed by their doctor in last 3 months.

Directing Your Donation

You can specify where your blood can be used

  • For your own surgery, (autologous blood).
  • For a friend or family member, (directed donor).
  • For community use.