Please note that there is no donation deferral for receiving a Covid-19 or Influenza vaccine. As long as you are feeling healthy and well, we encourage you to continue donating. If you are experiencing cold/flu symptoms, please give us a call at 888-723-7831 to reschedule. You can also email givebloodSBC@stanford.edu or text 999-777 if you prefer. Remember… the need for blood never takes a holiday. Thank you for helping local patients this winter!

Did you know…?

About every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

That means, this many people have needed blood since you arrived here:

Today’s Blood Need

Click a blood type or product below to learn more. Those in red indicate an increased need today.

Due to lower levels of community infection and in alignment with federal, state and local guidances and Stanford Medicine policies, as of February 3, 2023, SBC does not require masking in most donation scenarios. SBC continues to strongly recommend masking for all donors, team members, visitors and volunteers, particularly in indoor spaces. There are a few exceptions where a minimum of procedural (surgical) masking remains mandatory. Learn more at stanfordbloodcenter.org/donation-faqs.

Blood Donation: How It Works

Preparing to donate

Before your appointment:

  • Always be sure to drink plenty of water before donating blood!
  • Eat an iron-rich meal. Eating enough iron is essential to ensuring that your hemoglobin level is right for donating. You can check out some tips on getting enough iron here.
  • Bring your donor ID. If you have a donor ID, be sure to bring it with you to your appointment. First-time donors or returning donors without a donor ID card should bring a valid state-issued photo identification.

Avoid alcohol and fatty foods for 24 hours, and aspirin (if donating platelets) for 48 hours, before your donation.

Donating blood relaxing

The Donation Process

Congratulations, you made an appointment to donate blood and save lives! So what happens now? There are four basic steps to every blood donation:

  1. Registration
  2. Medical History
  3. Donation
  4. Rest & Refreshments
post-donation

After your blood donation:

  • Always be sure to drink plenty of water to rehydrate.
  • Sit down or lie down if you feel lightheaded or dizzy. Call our post-donation callback line at (650) 725-9968 if you feel unwell.
  • Rest and replenish iron. We recommend you take an iron supplement and/or eat foods rich in iron combined with a source of vitamin C after your donation.

Avoid alcoholic beverages and vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours after donating, and be sure to keep that bandage on for a few hours!

Please call our post-donation callback line at (650) 725-9968 immediately if you:

  • feel that your blood should not be given to a patient;
  • are not sure that your blood is safe;
  • develop a fever within 24 hours after donating;
  • have any illness within two weeks of your donation; or
  • are diagnosed by a physician as having West Nile, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, or Ebola virus Infection.

HEMOBLOGIN: THE SBC BLOG

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