Frequently Asked Questions

What age do you have to be to donate blood? Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. There is no upper age limit to donate blood.

What credentials do I need to donate blood? We are not allowed to take your blood donation without first seeing an official form of identification. It must show proof of age, your signature and/or your photo. An example of such identification would be a valid passport or driver's license.

What can I expect when donating whole blood? First you must show a valid photo I.D. Then a donor technician completes computer registration for your donation. Then you answer questions relating to your medical history. A brief "mini-physical" tests your blood pressure, the iron content of your blood, your body temperature and pulse. The actual whole blood donation only lasts between four and eight minutes. Donors are asked to rest afterwards for about ten minutes before leaving. The entire donation process takes approximately 45 minutes.

Should I eat or not eat before donating? At LifeSouth, we strongly recommend a meal or snack within two hours prior to donating blood

Does it hurt to donate blood? There may be a little sting when the needle is inserted, but there should be no pain during the donation.

Will I feel faint? Donors are served refreshments and encouraged to stay in the donor chair for a short time after donating. Occasional light-headedness may occur, especially if a donor leaves the chair before having a short rest, or uses alcohol or tobacco products soon after the donation.

Will I get sick? Are there any after effects? If you have any cold symptoms, it is best that you fully recover before donating, as donating blood can make the effects of common colds worse. The are possible minor after-effects if directions are not followed, such as drinking fluids, not performing any strenuous activity after the donation etc.

Can I donate if I weigh less than 110 pounds and give less than one pint of blood? Generally, no. Blood donations take a standard amount of blood from each donor; around 500ml (slightly less than one pint) for the donation to make a difference for a patient.

How long will it take to replenish the pint? Your body replaces blood volume or plasma within about 24 hours. Red cells need about four to eight weeks for complete replacement.

What does having low iron mean? Checking your blood iron level before making a donation gives an indication of how many red blood cells you have, and therefore how safe it is for you to donate. Low iron is not the same as being anemic; anemia must be diagnosed by a doctor.

Iron Rich Foods - In order to help maintain adequate blood iron levels, we recommend that you include the following foods in your normal diet*:

Spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes Beans (lima beans, soybean sprouts, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, etc.)

Bran cereal, whole wheat bread, white rice Cocoa, brown sugar Raisins, dried apricots, peaches Nuts (especially black walnuts, almonds and cashews)

Oysters, clams, scallops and shrimp

Wheat germ and wheat, rice or corn flakes, brewer's yeast Prune juice, apple juice

Red meats, liver, chicken

Also... Vitamin C enhances iron absorption The tannic acid in tea can act as an iron blocker carbonated soda can act as iron blockers. Other iron blockers include oxylates and phosphates.

* Some anemia is not due to inadequate iron consumption. If you are chronically anemic, please consult a physician.

Why can't I donate if I've had a tattoo? Due to the risk of infection (e.g. Hepatitis, HIV) during a tattoo aplication, there is a twelve month deferral period from the date of the tattoo application.

Can I donate if I've had a piercing? If the piercing was done under aseptic (sterile) conditions with single-use equipment, there is no deferral period. If a sterile needle was NOT used, the deferral period is twelve months due to the risk of infection.

What are the benefits of the LifeSouth donation cards? The LifeSouth donation cards are part of an electronic scanning system soon to be introduced at LifeSouth. Donors can currently use their LifeSouth ID which is shown on the card to check their cholesterol history, blood type and next donation dates at the Donor Kiosk.

What are the different components that are taken from blood? The pint of blood you donate is separated into three components; red blood cells, plasma and platelets. If needed, two additional components may be made from a pint of blood; cryoprecipitate and white blood cells. The blood components are then stored until they are needed.

Patients only receive the blood components that their body lacks. Some patients, such as cancer patients, may only need platelets. Burn patients may need plasma. Patients that have lost a great deal of blood due to trauma injuries, transplants or major surgery may require transfusions of all blood components.