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
Why I Donate
A Couple’s Journey to 100 Donations
Donating blood has become part of the rhythm of Eileen and Michael Consiglio’s lives, and something they share together. The couple, who regularly donate at our South Bay center, recently reached their 100th whole blood donation, an incredible milestone reflecting years of dedication and generosity. Both Eileen and Michael have been longtime donors. Eileen recalls…
From Lifelong Donor to Big Game VIP: Tom Scoles’ Story of Giving Back
For nearly five decades, Tom Scoles has been part of the community of donors at Stanford Blood Center. What started as a simple act during high school has grown into a lifelong commitment to helping patients in need. Recently, that commitment led to an unforgettable reward: a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the biggest game in football…
Free Earthquakes Tickets & Drawing for Global Games Tickets!
June Giants Days Are Coming Back!
Skip the Line With SBC preCheck™!
