Sign up online to Donate Blood at the Emergency Preparedness Fair!

You can schedule your appointment online here to donate blood this Saturday, October 24, 2009. There are time slots available from 9am-noon.

Here are some of the FAQ for blood donation:

Who can donate:

Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 (16 years old with parental consent) years old and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days.

General Eligibility Requirements

* Donors must be at least 17 (16 years old with parental consent) years of age
* Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds
* Donors must present a CBC Donor I.D. Card
* Donors must be in good health

Food/Sleep

* Eat nourishing meals before and after donation
* Drink plenty of fluids before and after donation
* Get a good nights sleep prior to donation

Length of Time Between Donations

Whole Blood Collection

* Donors must wait 56 days following a whole blood donation before donating again

Automated Blood Collection (Apheresis)

* Donors must wait 7 days following a platelet donation before donating again
* Donors must wait 28 days following a plasma donation before donating plasma again

Reasons for Permanent Deferral from Blood Donation

* Hepatitis after age 11
* IV Drug User (even one time)
* Certain obstructive lung disorders
* Certain liver disorders
* Persons who have taken Tegison for psoriasis
* Persons who have taken human-derived pituitary growth hormone, had a dura mater transplant or who have a relative diagnosed with CJD
* Persons with symptoms or laboratory evidence of AIDS or who are considered to have an increased risk for contracting AIDS
* Persons who have spent more than 3 months in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, Gibraltar, or the Falkland Islands) from 1980 through 1996, or who have received beef insulin since 1980
* Since 1980, persons who have spent 5 or more years in Europe, including time spent in the U.K., and individuals who have spent 6 months or more associated with military bases in Europe from 1980 through 1996

Reasons for Temporary Deferral from Blood Donation

* Current cold or flu symptoms, including a cough, sore throat and/or fever
* Dental work – defer for 24 hours after procedure for root canal, oral surgery, extraction of wisdom teeth; must be asymptomatic in all instances and all packing removed
* Pregnancy, miscarriage or abortion – defer for 6 weeks after delivery or termination of pregnancy
* Blood Transfusion – defer one year
* Malaria – defer for 3 years after last symptoms
* Mononucleosis – must be fully recovered
* Ear or Body Piercing under non-sterile conditions – one year
* Tattoo – unless performed in a licensed parlor either in Ohio or Kentucky, there is a one year deferral

Medications

* Most medications taken within 24 hours are acceptable
* Antibiotics are not acceptable to take 24 hours before donation
* Donors who have taken Accutane, Proscar, or Propecia must be deferred for 30 days after the last dose
* Donors who have taken Avodart must be deferred for 6 months after the last dose
* Consult with a Nursing Supervisor or Charge Nurse concerning immunizations or injections and the deferral period associated with the immunization
* There is no deferral period for the flu vaccine or pneumonia vaccine; there is a three day deferral for the Hepatitis B vaccine; see below for contact information

Diabetes/Blood Pressure

* Donors with well-established (not recently diagnosed) diabetes, who are controlled by diet, oral medications and/or insulin therapy, are eligible to donate
* Controlling medications must have been used in the 24 hours before donation
* Donors with controlled high blood pressure by diet, oral medications are eligible to donate

Consult with a CBC Nursing Supervisor

* History of Yellow Jaundice not associated with Hepatitis
* History of heart disease, heart attack, stroke or open heart surgery
* Travel outside the U.S. or Canada in the last 12 months
* Kidney disease
* Diagnosis, treatment or positive test for a sexually transmitted disease
* Hepatitis exposure
* History of cancer
* While being in the military, stationed in Europe 1980 to 1996

For more specific eligibility information, nursing supervisors may be contacted at 1-800-388-4483 or via email at: canidonate@cbccts.org.

Donation Process

* Prospective donors first complete a health history questionnaire and screening interview.
* The next step involves a brief physical examination of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and a test for anemia.
* If the prescribed medical requirements are met, a unit (about one pint) of blood is drawn from the donor. Afterwards, donors are served refreshments while remaining seated for 10 minutes.
* The entire process usually takes less than one hour.