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    • Types of Blood Donations
    • What to Expect
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    • FAQs

Four Steps to Saving a Life

Step 1: Registration

You will be asked for an official ID such as a driver’s license or passport in order to verify your name, address and birth date. Once registered, you will complete a confidential questionnaire dealing with your health history, foreign travel and other subjects.

Step 2: Mini-physical

A trained NCBB staff member will check your pulse, temperature, blood pressure and iron (hemoglobin) level. All questions and testing are done to ensure that donating blood is healthy for you and the patient. Note, all information collected is kept strictly confidential.

Step 3: Blood Donation

Once you have completed the medical screening, you will enter the donation area. There a staff member will clean your arm with antiseptic and begin the donation process. The process takes approximately 7-10 minutes for whole blood.
 
Step 4: Refreshment Time

Following your donation, you will enjoy refreshments in the Donor Cafe area. It is recommended that you stay at least 15 minutes. Your body will replace the lost fluid within 24 hours and the red cells within six weeks.

Post-donation tips:

• Increase your fluid intake for the next 24 to 48 hours.
   
• Avoid strenuous physical exertion and heavy lifting for 12 hours.
   
• Eat well balanced meals for the next 24 hours.
   
• Alcohol consumption is not recommended for 24 hours.
   
• Avoid smoking for two hours.
   
• Leave the adhesive bandage on your arm for two or more hours.
   

• Although donors seldom experience discomfort after donating, if you feel light-headed, lie down until the feeling passes. If some bleeding occurs after removal of the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm for three to five minutes. If bruising or bleeding appears under the skin, apply a cold pack periodically to the bruised
  area during the first 24 hours, then warm, moist heat intermittently.
   

• If you have any questions concerning your donation or experience any problems, please contact
  NCBB, 1-877-486-9414.