Frequently Asked Questions about Blood Donation

Who can donate?
Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old. During your donation appointment, you will complete a brief health questionnaire to make sure blood donation is safe for you and the recipient of your blood.

What's the difference between whole blood donation and automated donation/apheresis?
Your blood contains a mixture of several components, including red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells, and plasma. During a whole blood donation, donors typically donate a pint of this mixture. During automated donation/apheresis, the donor's blood is drawn and pumped into a machine that separates it into its components. Depending upon the type of donation, one component is kept while the rest are returned to the donor. Automated donation/apheresis allows donors to donate more frequently, depending upon the blood component collected. Automated/apheresis donors can help more people in need by donating more frequently and by donating more during each donation.

How long does donation take?

• Whole blood donation takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
  
• Donating plasma or platelets (called apheresis or automated donation) takes about 1 _ to 2 hours. The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center provides televisions, movies and wireless Internet access for donors to use during automated donation appointments.

How often can I donate?

• Whole blood donors — you can donate as often as every two months.
  
• Platelets and plasma donors — you can donate as often as every four weeks.
  
• Platelets only (no plasma) donors — you can donate as frequently as every three days but you cannot donate more than 24 times in a 12-month period.

Can I donate if I have a cold, flu or fever?
No. To donate, you must be symptom-free. If you feel well and have no fever, you may donate.

Can I donate if I have traveled outside the United States in the past year?
Travel to most countries will not prevent you from donating blood. However, travel to some foreign countries may make donors ineligible to donate blood for varying periods of time, depending on whether certain diseases such as malaria are common in the country visited. The criteria concerning foreign travel are subject to change, so please discuss your eligibility with the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center.

I am under the care of a doctor or dentist for more than routine checkups. Can I donate?
You may still be eligible to donate, depending on your condition. Donation is acceptable after routine teeth cleaning or dental work. Please contact the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor center if you want further details.

Can I donate if I am taking medication (including over-the-counter medicines)?
Most medications do not prevent you from donating blood. Common medications such as those used to control blood pressure, birth control pills and over-the-counter medications do not affect your eligibility. If you have recently taken antibiotics, you must have completed the course prior to donating. If you are taking any of a specific list of other medications, please contact us.

Can I donate if I have recently had a vaccination or immunization?
Donation is acceptable following most immunizations as long as you are feeling well. Donors vaccinated for chicken pox, measles, mumps, rubella, smallpox and the oral polio vaccine must wait two to four weeks after vaccination.

Can I donate if I recently had a tattoo, or ear or body piercing?
You must wait 12 months after having a tattoo or piercing to donate blood.

What should I do before I donate?
Before donating, you should eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids.

Where can I donate?
You can donate at either of our two permanent locations — at the Hilton Building and at Saint Marys Hospital — or visit a blood drive site in your neighborhood.

What if I have a question not answered here?
Please contact the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center donateblood@mayo.edu or (507) 284-4475