The FDA has released its guidance for a move from time-based deferrals to assessing blood donor eligibility using gender-inclusive, individual risk-based questions. Stanford Blood Center enthusiastically supports this announcement, and will be working as quickly as possible to implement changes once the AABB has made adjustments to the donor history questionnaire. Read the guidance here.
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:
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.
YEAR OF FIRSTS
A new year means experiencing new opportunities! So, start 2023 off right by making your first blood donation! Make a significant impact this year by donating blood to help support local patients in our community. Learn how you can participate in the #YearofFirsts blood donor program and see more first-time donor stories.
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
Valerie McGuire: Reflecting on 400 Donations
Here at SBC, we love celebrating our incredible milestone donors and their impact on helping support patients in our community. One of those heroes is Valerie McGuire, who recently made her 400th milestone donation. Public Relations Officer Ross Coyle interviewed the Menlo Park resident about what inspires her to donate and what keeps her coming back…
Why Do We Have Different Blood Types? A Look at Evolution and Inheritance
By Krista Thomas, Communications Strategist, with medical support and expertise from Dr. Tho Pham, Chief Medical Officer While all blood donors are united by the same general donation experience and, typically, the same passion for supporting others in the community, we naturally tend to distinguish ourselves by our blood types. And doing so is only…
Michael’s Story: The Heart to Carry On
By Samantha Baker, Communications Strategist One early morning in 1997, 35-year-old Monterey Peninsula resident Michael V. had difficulty sleeping due to an unusual feeling. “My heart was pounding away as if it was going to come out of my chest,” he said. He called for his wife, who rushed over to him. Michael looked at…
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