Give Blood FAQs

Is it safe to give blood?
Donating blood is a safe process. Each donor’s blood is collected through a new, sterile needle that is used once and then discarded. Although most people feel fine after donating blood, a small number of people may feel lightheaded or dizzy, have an upset stomach or experience a bruise or pain where the needle was inserted. Extremely rarely, loss of consciousness, nerve damage or artery damage occur.
What should I do after donating blood?
Take the following precautions:
   • drink an extra four glasses (eight ounces each) of non-alcoholic liquids.
   • keep your bandage on and dry for the next five hours, and do not do heavy exercising or lifting.
   • if the needle site starts to bleed, raise your arm straight up and press on the site until the bleeding stops.
What do I do if I get a bruise?
Apply ice to the area intermittently for 10 to 15 minutes during the first 24 hours. Thereafter, apply warm, moist heat to the area intermittently for 10 to 15 minutes. A rainbow of colors may occur for about 10 days.
What if I get dizzy or lightheaded after giving blood?
Stop what you are doing, lie down and raise your feet until the feeling passes and you feel well enough to safely resume activities.
How long will it take to replenish the pint of blood I donate?
The plasma from your donation is replaced within about 24 hours. Red cells need about four to six weeks for complete replacement. That’s why it is required to wait at least eight weeks between whole blood donations.
Why does the Red Cross ask so many personal questions when I give blood?
The highest priorities of the American Red Cross are the safety of the blood supply and our blood donors. Some individuals may be at risk of transferring communicable disease through blood donation due to exposure via travel or other activities or may encounter problems with blood donation due to their health. We ask these questions to ensure that it is safe for patients to receive your blood and to ensure that it is safe for you to donate blood that day.
What is apheresis?
Apheresis (ay-fur-e-sis), derived from the Greek word meaning “to withdraw,” is a donation process that allows you to give one component of your blood platelets. While all blood donations are vital, apheresis is a special type of donation using updated medical technology to collect specific blood components (platelets, plasma, red cells, etc) from a donor. The remaining blood components, including the red cells, are returned to the donor. In Southern California the primary focus of our current collections is the recruitment of more platelet donors.

Here are some examples of how many platelets a patient may need.
   • Heart Surgery Patient, 6 units
   • Burn Patient, 20 units
   • Organ Transplant Patient, 30 units
   • Bone Marrow Transplant Patient, 120 units

Since platelets can be stored for only five days, there is almost always an urgent need for platelet donations. You can donate platelets every two weeks, or up to 24 times in a one-year rolling period.
Are platelet donations safe?
Yes. Each donation is closely supervised by specially trained staff. A small percentage of your platelets are collected, so there is no risk of bleeding problems. Your body will replace the donated platelets within 72 hours. All donation equipment is sterile and discarded after every donation.

Give Blood FAQs

Is it safe to give blood?
Donating blood is a safe process. Each donor’s blood is collected through a new, sterile needle that is used once and then discarded. Although most people feel fine after donating blood, a small number of people may feel lightheaded or dizzy, have an upset stomach or experience a bruise or pain where the needle was inserted. Extremely rarely, loss of consciousness, nerve damage or artery damage occur.
What should I do after donating blood?
Take the following precautions:
   • drink an extra four glasses (eight ounces each) of non-alcoholic liquids.
   • keep your bandage on and dry for the next five hours, and do not do heavy exercising or lifting.
   • if the needle site starts to bleed, raise your arm straight up and press on the site until the bleeding stops.
What do I do if I get a bruise?
Apply ice to the area intermittently for 10 to 15 minutes during the first 24 hours. Thereafter, apply warm, moist heat to the area intermittently for 10 to 15 minutes. A rainbow of colors may occur for about 10 days.
What if I get dizzy or lightheaded after giving blood?
Stop what you are doing, lie down and raise your feet until the feeling passes and you feel well enough to safely resume activities.
How long will it take to replenish the pint of blood I donate?
The plasma from your donation is replaced within about 24 hours. Red cells need about four to six weeks for complete replacement. That’s why it is required to wait at least eight weeks between whole blood donations.
Why does the Red Cross ask so many personal questions when I give blood?
The highest priorities of the American Red Cross are the safety of the blood supply and our blood donors. Some individuals may be at risk of transferring communicable disease through blood donation due to exposure via travel or other activities or may encounter problems with blood donation due to their health. We ask these questions to ensure that it is safe for patients to receive your blood and to ensure that it is safe for you to donate blood that day.
What is apheresis?
Apheresis (ay-fur-e-sis), derived from the Greek word meaning “to withdraw,” is a donation process that allows you to give one component of your blood platelets. While all blood donations are vital, apheresis is a special type of donation using updated medical technology to collect specific blood components (platelets, plasma, red cells, etc) from a donor. The remaining blood components, including the red cells, are returned to the donor. In Southern California the primary focus of our current collections is the recruitment of more platelet donors.

Here are some examples of how many platelets a patient may need.
   • Heart Surgery Patient, 6 units
   • Burn Patient, 20 units
   • Organ Transplant Patient, 30 units
   • Bone Marrow Transplant Patient, 120 units

Since platelets can be stored for only five days, there is almost always an urgent need for platelet donations. You can donate platelets every two weeks, or up to 24 times in a one-year rolling period.
Are platelet donations safe?
Yes. Each donation is closely supervised by specially trained staff. A small percentage of your platelets are collected, so there is no risk of bleeding problems. Your body will replace the donated platelets within 72 hours. All donation equipment is sterile and discarded after every donation.