| Our donors have requested a FAQ (frequently asked question) sheet about many aspects of blood donation and the Puget Sound Blood Center. In response to that request we have compiled a set of questions and answers. Feel free to ask our staff for more information on any of the topics.
The donation process includes registration, a brief medical screening, the blood collection, and time for refreshments in the canteen. For whole blood the entire donation process usually takes about one hour and the blood collection segment is usually about 10 minutes. For apheresis (platelet) collections the entire process is about two hours.
Whole blood donations are approximately one pint. Apheresis donations also take about a pint of fluid; both weigh approximately one pound.
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are tiny cell fragments which circulate throughout the blood and aid in blood clotting.
Whole blood donors may give once every 56 days in order to allow plenty of time to replenish their red cells. Apheresis (platelet) donors can donate once every 7 days up to 24 times per year because the platelet and plasma components are replaced in the body more quickly than red cells. Platelets will return to normal levels within a few hours of donating. Plasma, the watery substance of your blood, takes a couple of days. The red blood cells, the oxygen carrying cells, can take two weeks or longer to fully return to normal.
As a general rule, women have approximately 10 pints and men have approximately 12 pints of blood.
Minors may donate at 16 and 17 years old with picture identification and a Puget Sound Blood Center permission slip signed by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit.
Type O negative, occurring in about 8% of the U.S. population, is the universal donor and can give blood to any other blood type. AB positive, which occurs in only 2.5% of the U.S. population, is the universal recipient and can receive blood from any other blood type.
All blood donations are processed and available for use within 48 hours. Whole blood is processed into components (red cells, platelets, plasma). After processing, the red cells can be stored for 42 days. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to 12 months and platelets (from whole blood or by apheresis) expire after 5 days.
To ensure the safest possible blood supply, all screening questions must be asked of all donors at each donation. The FDA requires that all blood centers conform to this practice.
Donors may be deferred from donating due to a low hemoglobin level. This requirement is for the safety of the donor to ensure that after donation, the donor's hemoglobin level will still be within the normal range for a healthy adult. A deferral for low hemoglobin does not mean a donor is anemic as hemoglobin levels can fluctuate daily. Eating foods high in iron (e.g. red meat, dark green vegetables, raisins) or taking a multivitamin with iron may help increase hemoglobin levels.
Although no problems have been reported, the safety of donating blood during or shortly after pregnancy has not been fully established. There may be medical risks to mother and baby if a blood donation is made while pregnant or shortly after pregnancy.
The Puget Sound Blood Center is fully committed to remaining a volunteer donor supported organization and does not pay for blood donations. Additionally, FDA regulations do not permit compensation for blood that is used for transfusion purposes as studies have shown that volunteer donors provide a safer blood supply.
The Blood Center strives to maintain an optimum inventory level of a four day supply. Due to unpredictable demands from trauma incidents the inventory fluctuates hourly. When the supply drops below a three day level, the Blood Center begins alerting local donors to increase the inventory to a safe operating level.
Due to the risk of exposure to blood and needles in the collection area and the need for complete confidentiality during screening, children must remain in the canteen or waiting areas. We feel that it is important to let the children know what their parents are doing, and if time permits, we are more than happy to answer questions and explain the donation process.
No. Patients and hospitals in Western Washington are served primarily by the Puget Sound Blood Center which is a non-profit, community supported organization.
For more information about the requirements to host a blood drive, please call 800-398-7888 to find a Donor Representative near you.
The criteria for donating bone marrow is different from blood donation criteria. Some donors who are ineligible to donate blood can still join the bone marrow registry. For more information call 1-800-DONATE-1 x1897.
The Blood Center currently has eleven donation centers located in Bellevue, Bellingham, Everett, Federal Way, Lynnwood, Olympia, Central Seattle, North Seattle, Silverdale, Tukwila and Vancouver. The Blood Center also has mobile collection units stationed at each center to travel to work sites, school, etc. throughout Western Washington. For more information on center locations or mobile drives call 1-800-398-7888.
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