Donation Process

Donor safety and comfortability is our number one priority.

Donating Blood For The First Time?

How to prepare for your appointment.

Before donating for the first time, we must determine your eligibility. If you pre-qualify, after completing our Health Questionnaire, you can schedule your prescreening appointment online. If you qualify after completing your prescreening, you’re eligible to donate! A Donor Care Specialist will review the types of donations offered at your facility and schedule your first donation.

Donor Safety & Eligibility Requirements

Safety is our top priority.

When you arrive at HemaCare Donor Center you will be greeted by our Donor Care Team who will guide through the donation process. Your donation will be performed by our knowledgeable staff of registered nurses and phlebotomists under the direction of a licensed physician. All donations involve complete anonymity, and you will receive compensation for your time and effort based on the type of donation.

Basic Requirements

You must:

Be at least 18 years old
Weigh at least 110 pounds
Be in general good health
Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
Not have donated whole blood in the past 8 weeks
Not have donated platelets in the past 2 weeks
Have a valid, government-issued, photo ID
Have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Id Number (TIN)

Other Eligibility Factors

What could impact your ability to donate:

Certain health conditions
Anemia
Recent tattoo or body piercing(s) at an unlicensed facility
Certain medications
Certain travel abroad to malaria risk areas
Certain European travel or residency
Certain sexual activity or history
HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis B or C

Most health conditions, medications, body modifications, and travel do not prevent you from donating with HemaCare Donor Center. The best way to know if you pre-qualify and may be eligible to donate is to take our Health Questionnaire.

Tips for a Successful Donation

Tip 1
Tip 2
Tip 3

3. After Your Donation
Enjoy an assortment snacks and refreshments in our canteen area. We have a variety of food items and cater to various diets.

Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours to replenish the fluids you lost during your donation.

Do not skip any meals and make sure to eat after your donation.

Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about 24 hours after donating.

If you feel light-headed, lie down, preferably with feet elevated, until the feeling passes.

Bruising at the collection site may occur – applying ice to the site intermittently may ease discomfort and any further bruising.

Enjoy your day and know that your donation may aid in the development of potential life-saving therapies and treatments for cancer, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and more.

Tell our Donor Care Team about your donation experience. We love hearing your feedback to ensure each donation visit is better than the last.
1. Before Your Donation:
In the days before your donation, eat healthy and iron-rich foods, such as: spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals, and raisins. This will help maintain a healthy iron level. The number one reason for canceled donations is anemia or low iron levels in the blood.

Drink 8-10 glasses of water 2-3 days prior to donation. Your donation can be canceled if you're not properly hydrated. Remember, 90% of your blood is water.

Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.

Get a good night's sleep.

Wear comfortable clothing, with short sleeves or sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.

At least 3 hours before donating, eat a balanced meal and avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries, or ice cream.

Don't forget to bring a valid government-issued photo ID, a list of medications you are taking, and a list of places you have visited outside of the U.S. in the past 3 years.
2. During Your Donation:
If you have a preference for which arm or vein you'd like the phlebotomist to use for your donation, please let them know. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

Relax in our reclining donor lounge chairs designed specifically for apheresis donations.

Listen to music, talk to others, watch movies, or connect to our Wi-fi and stream your favorite content.

Tell our Donor Care Team if you need anything - pillows, blankets, and heating packs are available to make your donation process as comfortable as possible.

If at any point you feel discomfort tell a Donor Care Team member, as nurses are available throughout the process to ensure your safety and comfortability.
3. After Your Donation
Enjoy an assortment snacks and refreshments in our canteen area. We have a variety of food items and cater to various diets.

Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours to replenish the fluids you lost during your donation.

Do not skip any meals and make sure to eat after your donation.

Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about 24 hours after donating.

If you feel light-headed, lie down, preferably with feet elevated, until the feeling passes.

Bruising at the collection site may occur – applying ice to the site intermittently may ease discomfort and any further bruising.

Enjoy your day and know that your donation may aid in the development of potential life-saving therapies and treatments for cancer, autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and more.

Tell our Donor Care Team about your donation experience. We love hearing your feedback to ensure each donation visit is better than the last.
1. Before Your Donation:
In the days before your donation, eat healthy and iron-rich foods, such as: spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans, iron-fortified cereals, and raisins. This will help maintain a healthy iron level. The number one reason for canceled donations is anemia or low iron levels in the blood.

Drink 8-10 glasses of water 2-3 days prior to donation. Your donation can be canceled if you're not properly hydrated. Remember, 90% of your blood is water.

Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.

Get a good night's sleep.

Wear comfortable clothing, with short sleeves or sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.

At least 3 hours before donating, eat a balanced meal and avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries, or ice cream.

Don't forget to bring a valid government-issued photo ID, a list of medications you are taking, and a list of places you have visited outside of the U.S. in the past 3 years.

How can my donation help others?

Your blood donation can be part of a growing focus on using human cells to treat and cure cancer, autoimmune diseases, and other common illnesses. These innovative cell therapies are a vital lifeline, as they are becoming early treatment options for patients in need.

I have a tattoo. Can I still donate blood for research?

Yes! Donating with a tattoo is permitted. However, the tattoo or piercing must be from a licensed technician/state regulated tattoo shop. You should not donate until the tattoo or piercing site is completely healed. This helps minimize the risk of contaminated blood being donated. If tattoos or piercings were performed at a non-licensed facility, you will not be able to donate for 12 months.

What’s the difference between donating blood for research and donating at a blood bank?

When you donate blood for research, you are actively contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge and medical breakthroughs – this can directly impact the future of medicine and potentially help thousands of patients globally. Donating blood at a blood bank involves the collection, separation, and storing of blood products for direct patient use at hospitals and other medical facilities.

What does it mean to be a HemaCare HERO?

A HemaCare HERO is someone who believes small contributions can make a huge impact in the lives of patients around the world and dedicates their time to the advancement of medical research by donating blood at one of our HemaCare Donor Center facilities. Find out more about how you can help make an impact by donating blood for research here.

How often can I donate?

Whole Blood: every 8 weeks
Platelets: every 2 weeks
Bone Marrow: every 3 months
White Blood Cells: every 2 weeks
Mobilized White Blood Cells: every 4 months

Frequently Asked Questions

HemaCare Donor Center Introduction

What does the HemaCare Donor Center do?

What does HemaCare Donor Center do with my donation?

What does it mean to assist medical research and drug development?

How do I refer family and friends?

Appointments

How do I schedule my first donation appointment?

What happens during a prescreening appointment?

How do I reschedule or cancel my appointment?

How do I make donation appointments if I’ve donated with HemaCare Donor Center before?

Donating

What are the requirements to donate at HemaCare Donor Center?

How often can I donate?

How much will I be compensated?

How and when will I be compensated?

How long does it take to donate?

What should I bring at the time of donation?

What kind of questions will be asked when I come in to donate?

Can I drive myself home after donating?

If I was deferred once before, am I still ineligible to donate?

Can I get a disease from donating?

I am taking certain medications - can I still donate?

Can I see my blood test results and vitals?

Will you release my contact information or use my identity?

If I have a positive blood test result for an infectious disease, how will I be notified?