So, you’re thinking about donating blood? That’s awesome — saving lives feels amazing!
If you’re like most first-timers, you’ve probably got questions about what to expect. Totally normal. That’s what we’re here for.
Fun fact: the #1 reason people donate blood is that they’ve donated before. Think about something that made you nervous the first time — snowboarding, driving, a job interview. Blood donation’s the same deal. Once you’ve done it, you’ll wonder what you were worried about. The whole visit takes about an hour, but the actual donation is just 7-10 minutes.
Don’t just take our word for it — watch students donate in real time below.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the donation process, what to do before and after you give blood and the amazing rewards you can earn.
Why Should I Donate?
Your community needs you.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Stanford Blood Center requires 200 units per day to provide life-saving treatment to local patients at Bay Area hospitals. With a single donation, you could save multiple lives.
There is no replacement for human blood.
We’re incredibly lucky that in the U.S., all blood donors are volunteers, providing a safe and reliable supply for anyone who needs it. Learn more about Stanford Blood Center and what makes it so special.
There’s something in it for you too!
Blood donation is rewarding in more ways than one! With every donation, you’ll earn points that you can use in our Donor Loyalty Store for e-gift cards, t-shirts, bags, mugs, and all kinds of eco-friendly stuff. It’s our way of saying “thank you” for your incredible life-saving gift. Check it out!
How Often Can I Donate?
How Often Can I Donate?
To ensure growing bodies have adequate ferritin (stored iron) reserves — and out of an abundance of caution — donors ages 16-18 can give a whole blood donation approximately once every five and a half months (168 days).
Studies show that youth donors (18 and younger) have lower baseline iron levels than adults, and may bounce back more slowly. Stanford Blood Center takes a conservative approach to donation intervals for donors 18 and under as a protective measure.
How Do I Know if I am Eligible to Donate?
As a first step, make sure to check out the SBC general requirements for blood donors. There are specific height and weight benchmarks for individuals 18 years or younger, which differ between men and women.
Before Your Donation Appointment
The first step to your blood donation journey is to review how to set up your SBC Donor account. This will allow you to track your appointments, find a local blood drive, view how many points you’ve earned for the Donor Loyalty Store, and much more.
- Always be sure to drink plenty of water before donating blood!
- Eat an iron-rich meal. Eating enough iron is essential to ensuring your hemoglobin level is right for donating. You can check out some tips on getting enough iron here.
- Bring your ID. If you already 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 caffeinated beverages including energy drinks, fatty foods for 24 hours, and aspirin (if donating platelets) for 48 hours before your donation.
- Fill out your medical history form using SBC Pre-Check the day of your appointment, before you arrive to speed up your appointment.
The Donation Process
When you show up to your appointment, you can expect four basic steps:
- Check in.
- Review your medical history with a medical professional.
- Donate (takes 7-10 minutes).
- Enjoy refreshments until you are cleared to leave (15 minutes).
When you arrive at your appointment you will also be given the information to redeem your “reward” from the current monthly promotion! Think free Warrior’s hoodies, Giants tickets and jerseys, entry into amazing ticket giveaways and more.
After Your Donation:
- Drink plenty of water to rehydrate.
- Sit down or lie down if you feel lightheaded or dizzy, which is unlikely, but can occur if you are dehydrated. Call our post-donation callback line at (650) 725-9968 if you don’t feel well.
- 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 caffeinated beverages, including energy drinks, and vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours.
- Keep that bandage on for a few hours!
Please call our post-donation callback line at (650) 725-9968 immediately if you:
- 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.
Blood donation is rewarding in more ways than one! With every donation, you’ll earn points that you can trade in our Donor Loyalty Store for e-gift cards, t-shirts, bags, mugs, and all kinds of eco-friendly stuff.
SBC also offers exclusive promotions all year round for our donors to say thank you. Whether you like e-gift cards, a Golden State Warriors sweatshirt, San Francisco Giants tickets, a chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences, or collectible t-shirts, we’ve got something for everyone!
SPECIAL PROGRAMS JUST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
RED CORD PROGRAM
Make an impact that lasts beyond high school. Give blood a minimum of two times or become a high school blood drive coordinator, and you’ll earn a red honor cord to wear at your graduation ceremony.
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
Make an impact by coordinating a school blood drive. SBC will award up to $1,000 in scholarship funds to select high school students each academic year.
VOLUNTEERING
If you are 16 or older, you can make an impact by volunteering at SBC blood drives. This is a great way to give back to your community!
Get the SBC app
Manage your appointments, keep a digital copy of your donorID card, earn badges, redeem rewards, and see your donor wellness test results all in one place! Learn more here.
