Upcoming Blood Drive Join us January 22 @ 2:30 PM to 4:30PM at the Dell Diamond Parking lot for our Annual R Bank Blood Drive. Invite your family and friends. Scroll down for FAQ and Blood Donation Prep Tips and visit www.inyourhands.org for more information. Frequently asked questions
I'm afraid of needles. Does giving blood hurt?
Most donors say what you feel is like a quick pinch. You shouldn't feel any discomfort during the blood
collection itself, and it usually takes only seven to ten minutes to collect a unit of blood.
Who needs blood?
Blood is vital for children and adults who are living with cancer, having surgery, surviving a car accident
or recovering from other illnesses and injuries. By sponsoring a blood drive through The Blood Center of
Central Texas, you will help ensure that this life-saving gift is available when your Central Texas neighbors
need it.
How often can I give blood?
While Blood Center staff encourages everyone to donate once a quarter, you can give blood even more
frequently than that. An eligible donor can give one unit of whole blood every 56 days. After you donate
blood, your body replaces the plasma or liquid component of your blood within 24 hours.
Why ask such personal questions in the interview?
The private interview is one of the screening steps all blood centers use to help keep our blood supply safe.
We are required to ask these questions and it is important that you answer truthfully. The interviews are
private because the questions are personal and the information you are giving is confidential.
Does The Blood Center pay donors for giving blood?
The Blood Center is fully committed to remaining volunteer/donor-supported and does not pay for
blood donations. Additionally, FDA regulations do not permit compensation for blood used for human
transfusion purposes as studies have shown that volunteer donors provide a safer blood supply.
How much blood do you take?
Each donation is 500 ml or just a little less than one pint. The average adult has two pints for every 25 lbs.
of body weight.
Can I catch anything from donating blood?
No, you cannot catch a disease from donating blood. All the clinical supplies used during a donation are
sterile and designed to be used only once and then disposed.
What happens to my blood donation after I give it?
Your blood donation is immediately processed into therapeutic components (red blood cells, plasma,
platelets and cryoprecipitate) based on patient need in our community. It is then put in quarantine storage
while your blood sample vials go to a laboratory for testing. Once all the tests have been completed, the
unit of blood is labeled and released for distribution to the health care facility that has the greatest need for
your supply of blood.
What is the universal blood type?
Type O negative, occurring in about 9% (according to AABB.org) of the U.S. population, is the universal
donor type and can be given to people with any other blood type. AB positive, which occurs in only 3% of
the U.S. population, is the universal recipient type and can receive blood from any other blood type.
The Blood Center of Central Texas
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(512) 206-1266
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(877) 212-1266
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inyourhands.org
How to prepare to give blood
Blood is a very important component of modern medicine.
It cannot be created synthetically, so it must be collected
from volunteer donors. Many people are afraid to donate
for many reasons. These tips will help you prepare your
body for donation and avoid adverse reactions.
Helpful hints:
• If you feel faint, tell The Blood Center
staff and they will assist you into
a reclining position on the chair. If
you've already left the donation center,
put your head between your knees to
increase blood flow to your brain, or lie
down and elevate your legs if you can.
Tips
Drink plenty of water the night and morning
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before you donate. The leading cause of faintness and
dizziness is a drop in blood pressure. Getting lots of water
into your body helps keep your blood pressure up. Avoid
caffeinated drinks because they dehydrate you.
• Relax. This helps with the drop in blood
Eat breakfast to help keep your blood sugar up.
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family how you overcame your fear
of donating and encourage them to
donate as well.
pressure and the lightheadedness,
especially when it is your first time.
• Spread the word! Tell friends and
This will help you feel better after you donate blood.
• Once you are okay with the process, ask
Avoid fatty foods for 24 hours before you donate.
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about platelet donations. Platelets are
a vital product used to treat seriously ill
patients.
Increased fat in your blood stream can make it hard to get
accurate readings on some of the mandatory screening tests
conducted on samples of your blood after you donate.
Remember:
Eat iron-rich foods for two weeks before your
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appointment; examples include: spinach, whole grains, eggs
and beef. Also, Vitamin C helps increase iron absorption. Your
iron level will be tested before you donate.
• Bring your photo ID.
• Appointments for whole blood are best,
but walk-ins are always welcome.
• Platelet donors must make an
Have a snack after the donation. Drink some juice
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and eat a light snack with a high sugar content to get your
blood sugar back up.
appointment.
Rest and relax for a few minutes by enjoying your snack before leaving the donation
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site. Let your body adjust a bit before rushing off to the rest of your day. Plan to spend approximately
10 minutes in the canteen.
Eat a meal high in protein after your donation; beef, chicken or legumes are excellent
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choices. You should also eat some vegetables and be sure to drink plenty of water.
Avoid heavy lifting for the rest of the day. This includes weightlifting at the gym, as well as
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working at any job that requires heavy lifting, climbing or strenuous exercise.
The Blood Center of Central Texas
l
(512) 206-1266
l
(877) 212-1266
l
inyourhands.org