Becoming a Donor

• Donor Requirements/Criteria
• Who Needs Blood Components?
• Types of Donations
• Reasons to Donate Blood
• 20 Quick Facts About Donating Blood
• Frequently Asked Questions About Donating Blood

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Donor Requirements/Criteria

To donate, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors must pass a physical and medical history examination prior to donating. Donors should eat a good meal prior to donation.

Physical

• Blood Pressure - below 180/100
• Temperature - less than 99.5
• Hematocrit - at least 38%
• Pulse - 50–100 bpm
• Weight - at least 110 lbs

Medical History

It is important to keep our patients safe from transfusion transmitted disease. Donors need to be feeling well and in good health. Donors are expected to respond honestly to the medical history questions. Some conditions or medications may cause you to be ineligible to donate, however most medications are acceptable.

Travel

If you have traveled outside of the U.S. or Canada and wish to know if you are eligible view one of the links below.

Travel Information
Blood Donor Travel Guide
Map of BSE Deferral
Centers for Disease Control

Small Pox

There is now a restriction on the Small Pox Vaccination. Call the Blood Center before coming in to donate to answer any questions you might have about the Small Pox Vaccine.

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Who Needs Blood Components?

Blood is usually separated into different components. Each component has a specific function.

• Whole blood may be used to increase both red cell mass and plasma volume.
• Red cells carry oxygen and are frequently used in the treatment of anemia.
• Leukocyte-reduced red blood cells in addition to increasing red cell mass may be used to prevent febrile reactions due to white blood cell antibodies.
• Platelets are used for patients with bleeding disorders.
• Plasma is used to treat some coagulation disorders.
• Cryoprecipitated AHF is for fibrinogen deficiency.

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Types of Donations

Allogeneic
Allogeneic transfusions are those received from the blood bank which have been donated by carefully screened and tested Central Texas donors. Allogeneic blood is always available in emergencies.

Autologous
An autologous blood transfusion is the procedure which allows patients to become their own blood donors. Those undergoing elective surgery that will likely require transfusion may be able to donate one or more units of their own blood prior to the date of surgery. This is stored and reserved for the patient's use only. A written order must be obtained from your surgeon to be considered for autologous transfusion.

Designated
The designated Donor Program allows patients who may need transfusion to designate specific donors for provision of blood. A special consent form must be signed by the patient and list the names of donors approved by the patient.

Apheresis
Apheresis platelet donations allow for a transfusion of platelets to come from a single donor, which reduces the risk to the patient. The donors' blood is collected, centrifuged to remove the platelets and returned to the donor in the other arm. This process requires an appointment.

Therapeutic Phlebotomy
Therapeutic phlebotomy is the process of collecting blood and disposing of the blood as a way of treatment.

Non-Local Sources
In times of need or shortage, the Scott & White Blood Center will acquire blood or blood products from other FDA licensed blood centers. Since this blood and/or blood products were tested when the blood was drawn, it will not be re-tested by the Scott & White Blood Center.

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Reasons to Donate Blood

Giving Blood is Safe
The U.S. Surgeon General and all medical authorities agree that it is not possible to catch any disease by giving blood.

Giving Blood is Easy
Following registration, you will answer simple medical history questions and receive your mini-physical, then you will roll up your sleeve. You will feel only a brief pinch and the five–eight minute donation will be over before you know it. Afterward, you can relax for a few minutes with refreshments.

Giving Blood is Fast
The entire life-saving process takes approximately 30 minutes to an one hour, so please allow time.

Giving Blood Saves Lives
You will be helping children and adults. Because donations are processed into a variety of blood components, each donation can save the life of as many as four people - people with leukemia, cancer, anemia, severe burns, hemophilia and those undergoing surgery for illness or injury. Recipients of organ transplants often require dozens of blood donations. Your donation will help ensure an adequate supply at all times.

Giving Blood Could Benefit Your Life
Your free mini-physical gives you a check for anemia, your body temperature, pulse and blood pressure.

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20 Quick Facts About Donating Blood

• A person can donate blood every 56 days.
• One donation of whole blood can help up to three different patients.
• Every three seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.
• Over four million American lives are saved each year by blood transfusions.
• Approximately 60 percent of the population is eligible to donate, but less than five percent of those able actually do so.
• Over 30,000 pints of blood are used each day in the U.S.
• An accident victim can use 50 units of blood and an organ transplant patient can use more that 100 units of blood.
• One out of every ten hospital patients needs blood.
• Nearly 300 units of blood must be collected each week to meet Scott & White's needs.
• Whole blood cannot be made synthetically; healthy people are the only source.
• All blood types are needed; often the common blood types are the most frequently transfused.
• The average adult body has between 10 and 12 pints of blood. 
• After one pint is donated, the body replaces the fluid portion within 24 hours, the platelets within two days and the red blood cells within 56 days.
• Red cells are usable for 42 days and platelets are only usable for five days.
• One pint of blood is roughly the equivalent of one pint.
• There are four main blood types: A, AB, B, and O.
• AB is the universal recipient, and O negative is the universal donor.
• The actual blood donation usually takes less than ten minutes.
• A person cannot contract HIV/AIDS or any other infectious disease from donating blood.
• A person could optimally donate up to six or seven times per year.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Donating Blood

What age do you have to be to donate?
To donate blood, donors have to be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and not have donated within the last 56 days. There is no upper age limit to donate.

What credentials do I need to donate?
To donate blood, donors must present a form of identification. An example is a driver's license.

What is the process for donating blood?
First the donor must present a form of identification. Next, the donor is registered and a printed out questionnaire is given to the donor to fill out. Next, the donor proceeds with the process and is given a brief mini-physical and asked more questions. Then the actual whole blood donation takes place, which last five to 10 minutes. Finally, the donor is requested to rest afterwards for about 10 minutes and enjoy some snacks and juice before leaving. The whole donation process takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Should I eat before I come?
We recommend that a meal is eaten prior to donating blood.

Does it hurt?
There should be no pain during donating blood, but a little sting when the needle is inserted.

What is the most common blood type?
The approximate distribution of blood types among the U.S. population is as follows.

• O Rh positive - 37%
• O Rh negative - 7%
• A Rh positive - 36%
• A Rh negative - 6%
• B Rh positive - 9%
• B Rh negative - 1%
• AB Rh positive - 3%
• AB Rh negative - 1%

How Much Blood donated/transfused each year?
There are about 14 million units of blood donated each year by approximately eight million volunteer blood donors. These units are transfused to as many as four million patients per year. A unit of blood is roughly equivalent to a pint. Adult males have about 12 pints of blood in their circulatory systems, and females have approximately nine pints. Each unit is usually separated into multiple components, which may be transfused to a number of different individuals. More than 20 million units of blood components are transfused every year

Who donates blood?
Fewer than five percent of healthy Americans eligible to donate blood actually donate each year. According to studies, the average donor is a college-educated white male, between the ages of 30 and 50, married with an above average income. However, these statistics are changing. Women and minority groups are volunteering to donate in increasing numbers. Most people donate at a blood drive where they work.

How often can I give?
You may donate whole blood every eight weeks and platelets up to 24 times a year.

How long does blood last?
Red blood cells may be stored up to 42 days; platelets expire in five days; fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate (clotting factors) may be stored frozen for one year.

What types are compatible?
Type A patients can receive blood transfusions from people with types A and O blood.
Type B patients can receive blood transfusions from people with types B and O blood.
Type AB patients can receive blood transfusions from people with types A, B, AB, and O blood.
Type O patients can receive blood transfusions from people with type O blood only.
Rh-positive patients can receive transfusions from people with types Rh-positive and Rh-negative blood.
Rh-negative patients can receive transfusions from people with type Rh-negative blood only.

How much blood is taken?
A unit (about one pint) of blood is drawn. The donation process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Actual collection of blood takes about five to 10 minutes.

I got dizzy when I gave blood the last time. What can I do to help prevent this from happening next time?
Eating a good meal and drinking plenty of fluids before donating will help. If you know that you are prone to dizziness, take in extra fluids. Also, please inform the staff about this tendency. They can help take extra precautions to help you with this.

Where will my blood be used?
The blood collected at Scott & White Blood Center stays at Scott & White Hospital to be utilized by the patients who are treated here. The hospital is classified as a Level 1 trauma center, as well as a major surgical and cancer treatment center.

Can I give my own blood for my upcoming surgery?
If enough time allows before your elective surgery, your doctor may opt for you to donate your own blood for surgery. This is up to the physician's discretion and requires a written order before it can be done. Should you have questions about a donation such as this, we encourage you to discuss this with your doctor.

I take allergy shots. Can I give blood?
Yes. Please give blood before getting your allergy shot, though, or you will not be able to donate for 72 hours after receiving your shot.

Can people taking anti-depressants give blood?
Almost all anti-depressant medications are acceptable for donors. Should you have questions regarding specific medication you are taking, please call Scott & White Blood Center at 877-724-9181 or 254-724-2430. We will be happy to clarify any questions you might have.

Is the blood donated tested?
Yes. Please refer to our section on Donor Blood Testing for specifics on this topic.

If I take asprin on a daily basis, can I still donate blood?
Yes. We will take into consideration that you are taking aspirin during the donation. You will also probably need to keep the pressure bandage on a little longer than normal to avoid extra bruising.

I am scheduled to have surgery soon. Can my family members and friends donate a unit of blood for me in the event that I need it?
Yes. You will have to come to the Donor Center before your surgery and sign the appropriate paperwork and consent form. Also, family members or friends will need to allow at least 72 hours for each unit of blood to be tested, processed and available for your use. These donations are known as "Designated" or "Directed" donations that have not been proven to be safer than blood from volunteer donors.

Should you require a transfusion, we would like a request help from family members and friends by donating blood to help replace the blood in the general bank that you have used, even if they are not your same blood type. By doing so, they will be able to help the next person needing blood.

What can you do if you are not eligible to donate?
While a person may be unable to donate, they may be able to recruit another person who can. We are always in need of volunteers to assist at blood drives or to help organize mobile blood drives. Simply helping to pass along information about the need for blood in our community assists in more ways than most people realize.

Is there enough blood on the shelves for transfusions?
The Scott & White Blood Center needs approximately 75 to 100 donors giving blood on a daily basis in order to keep up with our local needs. There has been a national shortage of blood since the 1990s. Here at Scott & White, we have been in a long term shortage for the last couple of years. Within this chronic shortage, the supply has fallen into very critical shortage points at times. We are in constant need of Group O and Group A blood, as these are the highest percent of blood types transfused. Many people are unaware of the 48-hour time frame that it takes for blood to be tested, processed, and ready to transfuse to patients in need. For this reason, more people who become regular blood donors will help stabilize our blood supply long-term.

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