Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why should I donate blood?
A: The need for blood affects all of us. Nine out of ten of us will need blood sometime during our lives. Blood is in constant demand for treatment of accident cases, surgeries, cancer patients and many other illnesses.

Q: Who may donate blood?
A: Donors must be at least 16 years old ( a signed consent form is required by donors in this age group), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. People over 80 can continue to donate if they are a regular donor or have a letter from their doctor stating that they are able to donate.

Q: How long does it take to donate blood?
A: It usually takes about 30 minutes for screening, donating a unit, and a short rest period after you are finished. The actual donation takes from 5 to 10 minutes.

Q: How does giving blood affect me?
A: Very little, except for a well earned feeling of satisfaction. Your body replaces the blood volume or plasma within 24 hours and the red cells within four weeks. Recent studies are showing that donating blood can have positive effects on your health.

Q: How long can blood and blood components be stored?
A: A unit of blood can be stored for 42 days under refrigerated conditions. Platelets can be stored for 5 days at room temperature. Fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate can be frozen for use up to one year.

Q: Is there a substitute for blood?
A: Absolutely not. The human body is the only "manufacturer" of this precious fluid. As modern as medicine has become, there is still no replacement for volunteer blood donors.

Q: Is there anything special I need to do before my donation?
A: Be sure to eat at your regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids.

Q: Does it hurt to donate blood?
A: There may be a little sting when the needle is inserted, but there should be no pain during the donation.

Q: Can I get AIDS if I give blood?
A: NO. You cannot gets AIDS or any other disease by giving blood. The materials, including the needle used for your donation, are new, sterile, disposable and used only once by you for your donation.

Q: What causes blood shortages?
A: Only 5% of eligible donors in this country donate blood. Deferrals, like low iron, infections and chronic illness to name a few, further restrict the number of those eligible to donate. Large metropolitan areas sometimes lack the closeness that is experienced in smaller rural areas. People want to make sure that their donation helps people in the areas where they live and work.

Q: Does BloodNetUSA experience blood shortages?
A: We continue to ask donors to donate every 56 days and to bring friends that have never donated blood. In addition, we try to schedule large community blood drives before, during and after periods of time when usage is higher than normal, usually around the holidays. In fact, in some cases, we have been able to help other areas in need.