What to do Before, During and After a Donation

National Blood Shortage

The Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by about 25% since early August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in. We need your help - schedule a blood donation today.

Make An Appointment Today

Give Blood

What to Do Before, During and After Your Donation

Before Your Donation

Make an Appointment

Select a donation type and find a convenient time that works best for you.

FIND A DRIVE

Get the Dish on Nutrition

Have iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins.

More About Iron

Be Well Rested and Hydrate

Get a good night's sleep the night before your donation, eat healthy foods and drink extra liquids.

LEARN MORE

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

RapidPass®

To expedite your donation, start your RapidPass® on the day of your appointment.

Photo ID

Please bring your donor card, driver's license or two other forms of identification.

Medication List

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.

Applied Muscle Tension (AMT) is a series of simple exercises that help your blood pressure stay up and improve blood flow, so your chance of experiencing any side effects, like fainting, stays low. These exercises can be performed throughout your donation and afterwards in the refreshment area.

After Your Donation

Enjoy a Snack

Relax for a few minutes in our refreshment & recovery area — have some cookies or other snacks — you’ve earned it!

Tell Others About Your Good Deed

The gratification of giving blood is a feeling you'll want to share.

Drink Extra Liquids

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.