Donating blood is safe.

All materials used, including the needle, are new, sterile, disposable, and only used once for your blood donation.

Most people feel absolutely fine after they have donated.

Eating regular meals beforehand, and drinking lots of fluids for 24 hours after the donation will help alleviate any unexpected side effects.

Donating blood is simple.

You will be asked for some basic information such as your name, address, age, and driver's license. A confidential medical history is taken, and a finger stick is done to analyze a drop of your blood for iron content. Your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature will also be checked. A skilled, specially trained technician, called a phlebotomist, does the donation procedure. The actual donation takes about seven to ten minutes.

One donation has the ability to save 3 lives.

You will give one unit, about one pint of blood. After donating, you will rest and enjoy some refreshments. So please consider donating today - it really saves lives!

Basic Requirements:

Age: 16 through 75 (16 year olds must have parental consent)

Note: Donors who reach age 75 and have been previously a regular donor can continue to donate provided that they meet all donor criteria. Donors over 75 years of age who pass all donor criteria may donate provided that they have donated within the past 5 years or have written medical clearance from their physician.

Weight: Minimum weight is 120 pounds.

Blood Pressure: Must be within normal range. Persons on blood pressure medication are acceptable only if medication is taken for hypertension without beta-blockers for heart disease.

Here are some reasons why a person will be permanently deferred:

• A member of any high-risk group for AIDS
• A history of hepatitis (after age 11)
• The following cancers are permanent deferrals: Myeloma, Hodgkin's, Melanoma, Malignant Melanoma, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Leukemia.

Some Reasons a Person will be Temporarily Deferred:

Why a Person might be Indefinitely Deferred:

From 1980 through 1996 donors who have spent time that adds up to 3 months or more in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Ireland [Republic of], Wales, the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or the Falkland Islands).

From 1980 to the present received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom (Any of the above listed).

Members of the US Military, a civilian Military employee or a dependent of a member of the US Military if they spent a total of 6 months or more associated with a military base in any of the following countries:

• From 1980-1990 in Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany, or
• From 1980-1996 in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece.

From 1980, have spent time that adds up to 5 years or more in Europe (including time spent in the United Kingdom).

European Countries List to be Used for Deferral of Donors Based on Geographic Risk of Variant Creuzfeld-Jacob Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis):