What to Do Before, During and After Your Donation
What to Do Before, During and After Your Donation
Before Your Donation
Select a donation type and find a convenient time that works best for you.
Have iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins.
Get a good night's sleep the night before your donation, eat healthy foods and drink extra liquids.
Additional tips before donating:
- Donating Platelets? Don't take aspirin for 2 days before your appointment. Learn About Platelet Donations.
- Ask a friend to donate at the same time . You can support each other and do twice as much good!
- Download the Blood Donor App to receive appointment reminders, start your RapidPass and more.
On the Day of Your Donation
We'll need to know about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you're taking.
Additional tips for the day of your donation:
- Drink an extra 16 oz. of water (or other nonalcoholic drink) before your appointment.
- Eat a healthy meal, avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream.
- Wear a shirt with sleeves that you can roll up above your elbows.
- Let us know if you have a preferred arm or particular vein that has been used successfully in the past to draw blood.
- Relax, listen to music, talk to other donors or read while you donate.
Make blood donation more comfortable
Applied Muscle Tension (AMT) is a simple technique of tensing and relaxing large muscles to help normalize blood pressure and maintain healthy blood flow to your brain. AMT reduces the chance of fainting or pre-faint symptoms by up to 83%, making your donation safer and more comfortable.
At key points—before the needle goes in, during your donation if you feel lightheaded, before the needle comes out, and before you stand up—cross your legs, squeeze your inner thighs or knees together, tighten your abdominal muscles and point and flex your feet. If this is uncomfortable or difficult, try tightening your glutes (buttocks) or quads (muscles above the knees). Hold for 5 seconds, relax for 5 seconds, and repeat several times. You can also use AMT later in the day if you start to feel lightheaded. Just remember to squeeze something!
The Red Cross is now using automated devices to measure your temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and hemoglobin. To help ensure the accuracy of your pre-donation health screening, follow these tips:
- Skip caffeine.
- Warm your hands.
- Sit quietly, place your arm on the table at heart level with your hand open.
- Keep relaxed with your feet flat on the floor and maintain good posture.
After Your Donation
Relax for a few minutes in our refreshment & recovery area — have some cookies or other snacks — you’ve earned it!
The gratification of giving blood is a feeling you'll want to share.
Drink an extra four (8 oz.) glasses of liquids and avoid alcohol over the next 24 hours.
Additional tips for after your donation:
- Keep the strip bandage on for the next several hours; to avoid a skin rash, clean the area around the bandage with soap and water.
- Don’t do any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.
- If the needle site starts to bleed, apply pressure and raise your arm straight up for 5-10 minutes or until bleeding stops.
- Call us at 1-866-236-3276 to report any additional health information that you forgot to tell us, if you have any problems or if you needed medical care after giving blood.
- If you experience dizziness or lightheadedness, stop what you’re doing and sit down or lie down until you feel better; avoid performing any activity where fainting may lead to injury for at least 24 hours.
- Keep eating iron-rich foods.
- If you donate frequently, be sure to take multivitamins with iron to ensure you continue to replenish your iron stores before your next donation.
Ready to Help Save a Life?
Find a convenient blood drive near you and schedule an appointment to donate today.