The Donation Process

Volunteer/Autologous/Directed Process - The donation process consists of five simple steps:
Education and Consent -  You will read through a packet of educational materials which contains information on the donation process, how your blood will be used, and the tests that will be performed on your blood. By signing our consent form, you are giving permission for this testing to be done. We must have your consent for testing before accepting your donation of blood.   Mini-physical -  In a private screening bay, one of our blood bank technicians will check your blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and hemoglobin (level of iron in your blood) to ensure you’re healthy enough to donate.   Health questionnaire -  We’ll have you answer a short questionnaire regarding health history, recent travel and immunizations, risk behaviors, etc. All of the information collected during the mini-physical and health questionnaire is kept in strict confidentiality.   Blood draw -  After cleaning the area, the tech will insert a sterile, one-time use needle into the crease of your elbow. This stick will feel like a small pinch in your arm. Once the needle is inserted, you should feel no discomfort. One pint will be drawn for patient transfusion as well as a small amount collected in tubes for testing. The draw itself only takes about four to ten minutes.   Relax and snacks -  After the draw, you will be taken to our canteen area for a treat. Each day we have fresh donuts, cookies, muffins and popcorn as well as coffee and juice. We recommend donors sit for a few minutes and have a snack in order to replenish fluids.
The entire donation process takes about 45-60 minutes. Double Red Blood Cell Process - The double red blood cell donation process consists of five simple steps: Education and Consent - You will read through a packet of educational materials which contains information on the donation process, how your blood will be used, and the tests that will be performed on your blood. By signing our consent form, you are giving permission for this testing to be done. We must have your consent for testing before accepting your donation of blood.   Mini-physical - In a private screening bay, one of our blood bank technicians will check your blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and hemoglobin (level of iron in your blood) to ensure you’re healthy enough to donate.   Health questionnaire -  We’ll have you answer a short questionnaire regarding health history, recent travel and immunizations, risk behaviors, etc. All of the information collected during the mini-physical and health questionnaire is kept in strict confidentiality.   The collection -  After cleaning the area, the technician will insert a sterile, one-time use needle into the crease of your elbow. This needle is connected to an automated machine which will cycle out your blood and separate the different components. It then will return your plasma and platelets to you through a sterile-tubing set to aid in fluid replacement. A double donation draw takes about twenty-five minutes.   Relax and snacks - After the collection, you will be taken to our canteen area for a treat. Each day we have fresh donuts, cookies, muffins and popcorn as well as coffee and juice. We recommend donors sit for a few minutes and have a snack in order to replenish fluids. ABC Process - The ABC process consists of five simple steps: Education and Consent - You will read through a packet of educational materials which contains information on the donation process, how your blood will be used, and the tests that will be performed on your blood. By signing our consent form, you are giving permission for this testing to be done. We must have your consent for testing before accepting your donation of blood.   Mini-physical - In a private screening bay, one of our blood bank technicians will check your blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and hemoglobin (level of iron in your blood) to ensure you’re healthy enough to donate.   Health questionnaire  - We’ll have you answer a short questionnaire regarding health history, recent travel and immunizations, risk behaviors, etc. All of the information collected during the mini-physical and health questionnaire is kept in strict confidentiality.   The collection - After cleaning the area, the technician will insert a sterile, one-time use needle into the crease of your elbow. This needle is connected to an automated machine which will cycle out your blood and separate the different components. After collecting the components needed, the machine will return the remaining portion of your blood to you through the sterile tubing set. The length of an ABC donation varies with each donor based on their current platelet count and height and weight, but usually takes between one and two hours.   Relax and snacks - After the collection, you will be taken to our canteen area for a treat. Each day we have fresh donuts, cookies, muffins and popcorn as well as coffee and juice. We recommend donors sit for a few minutes and have a snack in order to replenish fluids.