FAQs
The majority of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, but only about 3% actually do. Find out if you're eligible.
Donating blood is safe. Sterile, disposable needles and supplies are used once and then properly disposed. You cannot contract any infectious disease by donating blood.
Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height and weight requirements apply to some donors age 22 and younger. Donors who are 16, and some 17-year-olds in certain states, must have a signed permission form from a parent or guardian.
We have multiple donation centers and blood drive opportunities across the country. Simply provide your zip code and we’ll point you in the right direction.
We strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment so we can honor your valuable time. Appointments also help us better plan our staffing and use of donation equipment and resources. While appointments are encouraged, we do welcome walk-in donors.
It takes about an hour from completing the health history questionnaire, medical screening and post-donation refreshments and snacks. The donation itself only takes about 10 minutes.
Every 56 days. Other types of donation have different intervals. To prevent anemia, we track frequent donors to make sure they don’t give more than the maximum allowable blood volume in a rolling 12-month period. Once this limit is reached, we’ll ask donors to wait before donating again.
No. As a nonprofit, Vitalant relies exclusively on the generosity of volunteer blood donors to support the community blood supply. Studies have shown that volunteer donors provide a safer blood supply. Additionally, the FDA regulates the labeling of blood products for transfusion purposes to indicate whether the product came from a volunteer or a paid donor.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. That’s why it’s so important we continuously replenish the supply. And blood has a shelf life. Red blood cells can be used up to 42 days and platelets need to be used in five. All blood types are needed, including the most common blood types.
There are many ways you can support our lifesaving mission. You can host a blood drive, advocate the need for blood donations, make a tax-deductible financial donation, sign up to be a marrow donor and more.
Following your donation, your transformative gift is typed, tested, processed, stored and distributed to patients who need it in the hospitals we serve. You’ll feel proud knowing you’ve saved up to three lives. When you do good for others, you do good for yourself! If you'd like to see what happens to your blood donation in person, schedule a behind-the-scenes tour of your local donation center.
Vitalant provides blood to 900 hospitals across 28 states where it is used in a variety of medical treatments. Your single blood donation can save and enhance the lives of up to three patients. Read stories of those whose lives have been saved by blood donation.
As a network of community blood centers, Vitalant works in tandem moving lifesaving donations throughout our service areas to help ensure blood is available when and where it’s needed most.
In order to receive points, you must first opt in to our Donor Recognition Program – even if you were previously enrolled in one of our legacy programs. Please refer to our Recognition Program page.