Hemoglobin

During the Medical History part of your donation process, the Historian will take a small blood sample from your finger to test your hemoglobin, which is the oxygen-carrying molecule in your red blood cells. In order to get an accurate sample of your hemoglobin level, your hands must be warm. Try rubbing your hands together, holding a warm drink, or running warm water over your hands before the finger stick. If your hands are cold, notify a staff member. If your hemoglobin is too low, you will not be able to donate blood that day. Please come back soon!

To learn more about how to raise your hemoglobin level, visit: Iron and Blood Donation and Hemoglobin and Your Health