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WHO
CAN DONATE?
To
be eligible to
donate, you should be in good health, 17 years of age or older,
weigh at least 110 pounds and not at risk for HIV and/or
hepatitis.
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HOW
DOES DONATING WORK?
Step 1 – A Medical History
form is completed. You will be asked general information such
as name, address, social security number etc. You will then complete
information about your health, travel, medication(s) you are taking.
At this time you will need a signature I.D. (driver’s
license, credit card, school I.D. etc.)
Step 2 – You will receive
a mini health exam, including blood pressure, temperature and
pulse check. A drop of blood will be obtained from your finger
to test for anemia. At this time, a staff will complete the review
of your medical history.
ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL.
Step 3 – You will proceed
to a donor bed where your arm will be cleaned with an antiseptic
and the donation will begin. You will donate one unit of blood
(not quite a pint): this takes about 6 to 10 minutes.
Step 4 – After your donation
you will receive refreshments and ask to wait 10 minutes at the
refreshment area. You will receive post
donation instructions reminding you to drink plenty
of fluids, avoid strenuous physical exertion for approximately
5 to 12 hours, eat well for the next 24 hours and what to do if
there is any bruising.
You need to allow 45 minutes to 1 hours from the
time you start registration until you finish your refreshments.
If
you have any questions or experience any problems
after donating, please call the Community Blood Council
at 1.866.2GIVENJ or Email: info@communitybloodcouncil.org |
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CAN I DONATE
IF I AM ON SEVERAL MEDICATIONS?
E-mail
us or call to speak with our medical staff about
your eligibility.
The guidelines for donating change periodically. Some restrictions
have been removed and some new restrictions have been added.
WHERE
DOES MY BLOOD GO AFTER DONATING?
The blood is taken from the blood drive to our Blood
Center for testing.
It takes 24 hours to process a unit of blood. The blood is then
distributed to the hospitals we service for transfusion to patients
in need of your “GIFT OF LIFE”.
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WHAT
ARE YOU TESTING FOR?
Each unit is tested for the following:
- ABO
group and Rh factor
- Unexpected
antibodies that are a result of prior transfusion, pregnancy or
other factors.
- Hepatitis
B surface antigen, indicating a current infection (hepatitis)
or carrier state for hepatitis B virus.
- Antibody
to hepatitis B core, indicator of a past infection with the hepatitis
B virus.
- Antibody
to hepatitis C virus, indicating a current or past hepatitis C
virus, (non-A/non-B hepatitis).
- Antibody
to HTLV-I/II, indicator of infection with a virus that may cause
adult T-cell leukemia or neurologic disease.
- Antibody
to HIV 1/2, indicator of infection with a human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV).
- Screening
test for syphilis. (RPR)
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CAN
I GET AIDS FROM DONATING?
There is no way you can be exposed to the AIDS virus
by donating blood. All needles and equipment are pre-packaged,
sterile and disposable. Nothing is ever re-used on another donor.
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WHERE
CAN I DONATE?
Community Blood
Council Donor Center or
Community Blood Drives?
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WHY
SHOULD I DONATE?
Every day hospitals use blood or blood components
to treat patients with serious conditions such as cancer and leukemia,
or to allow surgery such as hip replacement to be performed. About
95% of people who live to age 72 need a blood transfusion at some
time in their life.
ONE DAY IT COULD BE
YOU.
One donation can save up
to three lives.
Blood is perishable – red
cells have a shelf life of 42 days.
Platelets have
a shelf live of 5 days.
Plasma can be frozen for 1 year.
Nationwide, only 5% of the population donate blood
and the need for blood is ever increasing as modern medicine and
surgery advances.
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WHAT
HAPPENS IF YOU FIND SOMETHING WHEN TESTING MY UNIT?
You will be notified about results of the required
test only if a problem is detected.
ALL INFORMATION IS
CONFIDENTIAL.
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HOW
OFTEN CAN I GIVE BLOOD?
Every 56 days.
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HOW OFTEN CAN
I GIVE PLATELETS?
Every 2 weeks and not more than 24 times a year.
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I’M
NOT SURE I CAN DONATE.
Check the eligibility
guidelines or
call The Community Blood Council at 1.866.2GIVE NJ
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WHAT OTHER
SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Directed donation
Autologus donation
Platelet donation
ALYX donations (red cell donation)
Hemochromatosis donation
E-mail the
Community Blood Council with any additional questions you may
have.
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Other Questions?
Please fill out the form below.
Be sure to complete each question so we can contact you in reference
to your inquiry. Thanks.
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