Donate Blood
Your gift can save someone’s life.
From people battling cancer to heart surgery and organ transplant patients to accidents and burn victims and more, blood donors help patients of all ages every day. And there is a constant need for blood donation because it can only be stored for a limited time before use. Plus, there is no substitute for human blood, despite years of scientific research. As a result, the need for blood is constant.
Blood Donation is Safe & Easy
Sterile procedures and disposable equipment make donating blood safe for both the donor and recipients. The donation is not only safe, but also easy.
When most people think of “donating blood,” they think of whole blood donation. The actual donation process works like this:
- Register by filling out a form or showing your donor card
- Receive a confidential mini health exam and answer some more questions
- Lay on the donor bed, where your arm will be cleaned with an antiseptic before donation
- Following your donation, you will receive refreshments
Whole blood donation takes 45 minutes to an hour from arrival to walking out our front doors. The actual donation only takes around 15 minutes. And you can donate whole blood every 56 days.
The Right Type, Right Time
There are a total of eight blood types. And each one is needed to help those who count on lifesaving blood transfusions. The following are the different blood types and how each can help in different ways.
A Positive Blood Type
A+ blood type makes up 35.7% of the population. People with A positive blood type are encouraged to donate platelets, whole blood, or double red cells.
AB Positive Blood Type
Individuals with AB+ blood have the potential to save almost anyone and are often called universal platelet donors because their components can be transfused into anyone, regardless of their blood type.
A Negative Blood Type
A person with type A- blood can donate to a person with type A or type AB blood and can receive blood from a person with type A or type O blood.
AB Negative Blood Type
AB- is the rarest blood type, making up less than 1% of the population. Donors with this blood type are encouraged to give a platelet donation.
B Positive Blood Type
A person with type B+ positive blood can receive transfusions from type B or type O blood only. Donors with this blood type are encouraged to donate platelets and whole blood.
O Positive Blood Type
O+ blood type is the most common, making up more than 37% of the population. Any positive blood type can receive O positive blood. Donors with this blood type are encouraged to give double red cells and whole blood.
B Negative Blood Type
B- blood type is considered a rarer blood type and can only receive blood from O negative and B negative blood types.
O Negative Blood Type
O- is the most highly demanded blood type there is. Making up only 7% of the population, people with O negative blood are the universal donors because their blood can be transfused into any patient.
Give the Gift of Life
Every two seconds, patients who need blood are in crisis, and you can help. Your donation ensures that we have enough blood to meet demand in our community and now around the country. Schedule your donation appointment today.