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:
Blood Donation: How It Works
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.
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:
- Registration
- Medical History
- Donation
- Rest & Refreshments
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
Recognizing Blood Cancer Awareness Month
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize those affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other cancers of the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. It is also an opportunity to honor patients, survivors, families, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers. This observance has a close connection to SBC’s mission. Blood cancers and treatments such…
September Raises Awareness for Blood and Childhood Cancers
If you’ve ever considered becoming a blood donor, there is no better time than now. September is a month dedicated to bringing awareness to blood and childhood cancer causes that affect thousands of children every year – many who benefit from, or survive because of, blood transfusions. Here are a couple of causes we hope...
September Brings Awareness to Sickle Cell Disease
In 1983, the federal government designated September as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month in an effort to bring awareness to the disease and focus on the need for research and treatment (American Society of Hematology). What is Sickle Cell Disease? Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a life-long illness that affects between 90,000 and 100,000…
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