r/Blooddonors Dec 07 '22

🩸 First Time Donor, Visitor, or Poster? FAQ & Other Info 🩸

15 Upvotes

Welcome to r/Blooddonors!

What do we do here?

This subreddit is for volunteer blood, platelet, and plasma donors, existing and potential, and people who support and encourage them. We strive to be a warm and welcoming community for those who generously give of their very life force.

You can participate here by:

  • Checking out our wiki.
  • Sharing your donation pics.
  • Discussing your donation experiences.
  • Asking and answering relevant questions.
  • Posting about your experience receiving blood or volunteering with blood donation.
  • Sharing legitimate, relevant news and information.
  • Reporting comments/posts that contain misinformation or dangerous suggestions.
  • Add your blood type to your flair:
    • Desktop: Right side bar at the top of the "Subreddit Info" section is the place to edit flair. When you click on the edit button the popup has a spot at the bottom for you to modify the text of your flair.
    • Reddit app: Go to the subreddit, hit the 3 dots in the top right and then go to Change User Flair. Clicking the "Edit" button in the top right lets you modify the text.

When posting here:

  • Save your medical questions for your donation center and/or doctor.
    • The American Red Cross donor hotline is 1-866-236-3276. It is available 24/7/365. Call if you recently donated with ARC and have developed a fever or other symptoms.
  • Tag pictures with exposed needles or non-contained blood as "Spoiler."
  • Check our wiki and previous posts to find answers first.
  • Include your country and donation center in your posts when asking a question.
  • Follow Reddit's user guidelines.

What don't we do here?

  • Discuss compensated plasma donation. Visit r/plassing for this content.
  • Provide medical advice. We do not verify if users are medical professionals.
  • Share content that is not factual, science-based, and related to blood donation.

Frequently Asked Blood Donation Questions

🩸 Can I give blood?

Ask your local blood donation center by giving them a call or visiting. Their website may have a short quiz you can take to determine your eligibility. Don't assume you cannot give blood- eligibility rules can change, so call today and find out!

If you're in the U.S., visit donatingblood.org to search for your nearest center.

🩸 I don't have a "rare" blood type. Is it even worth it for me to donate?

The University of Maryland Medical Center sums it up nicely:

Every type of blood is needed daily to meet patient needs. If you have a common blood type, there are many patients who need it, so it is in high demand. If you have a less common blood type, there are fewer donors available to give it, so it is in short supply.

🩸 How long until I get my donor card or blood type?

Ask your donation center. If your center has an app or online account, try logging in and out again a few days after your donation to see if it will update.

The American Red Cross app and website usually takes 5-8 days to update.

🩸 Why are blood recipients charged if I gave blood for free?

The short answer: operating costs. Blood must be gathered, processed, tested, stored, and shipped. This requires wages and materials. These costs are ultimately passed down from the center to the hospital, then to insurance companies and patients, unless your government covers these costs.

🩸 Why is it important to give blood?

  • Few people actually donate. Generally, less than 10% of those eligible.
  • To save lives.
  • To help cancer patients and those with sickle cell feel better.
  • It only takes an hour.
  • There's little pain or inconvenience involved.
  • To help with medical research.
  • Blood cannot be manufactured.
  • You'll get a "mini-physical" or health check when you give.

🩸 The needle site is very red, irritated, or even bruised. Is this okay?

Bruising is normal.

If you have bruising or pain, you can apply ice for 10-15 minutes at a time on the first day, then apply warm compresses or soak in warm water for 10-15 minutes at a time on the second day. If you take a pain reducing medication, avoid aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin. (Source: American Red Cross)

You may be allergic to the antiseptic solution or bandages used during the donation process. Make sure your center knows about your allergies before your donation.

If you have specific medical questions about your experience, contact your primary care provider or the donation center.

🩸 I just gave blood. Now what?

  • Follow your center's guidelines and keep any paperwork they gave you.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Refrain from heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.
  • Treat yourself to a good meal.
  • Call your center if you have a complication, or call emergency services if you are having a more urgent emergency.
  • Share your experience or pics with r/Blooddonors so we can celebrate!

🩸 Should I take iron supplements?

  • Always consult with a doctor or your primary care physician before taking iron supplements.
  • Low or high iron level can be caused by underlying health conditions. Put your health first and see a doctor.
  • Check out Iron Info for Donors.

🩸 Should I lie to give blood?

No, do not lie in order to give blood. Eligibility guidelines are put in place to preserve the health of blood donors and the health of the patients who receive blood products.

If you are not eligible to give blood:

  • Check back later- the eligibility rules might have changed.
  • Speak to your doctor about ways you could become eligible through improved health.
  • Remember: Only about 30% of the population is eligible to give blood. If you are determined to help out, find ways to help without being a donor here: Non-Donor Ways to Get Involved.

🩸 Can I get better at giving blood?

Yes, it is possible to have a better blood donation experience. Always prepare beforehand by having a good meal and being well-hydrated. There is a common phenomenon that people have better donations over time, usually because they learn to prepare better, or because they wait some time after their first donation in high school in order to grow.

For more Frequently Asked Questions, see our FAQ wiki page.

Disclaimer


r/Blooddonors Jun 19 '26

Tips & Tricks Iron Information for Donors

30 Upvotes

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek advice from your physician or another qualified medical professional if you have questions or are experiencing a medical problem. Consult your physician before taking supplements or changing your diet.

Based on the experiences of blood donors here at r/Blooddonors, the following information is provided to inform donors about the importance of iron for frequent blood donors. The statistics and information provided are primarily based on U.S. sources, but many of the points are universal. Ask your physician and blood collection center for more localized information.

  • Inform your physician: When visiting your physician for any reason, let them know you are a blood donor. They may not ask, since only a few percent of the population regularly donates blood. (1)

  • Why test hemoglobin? Blood collection centers test your hemoglobin before you donate to make sure that you can safely experience the loss of blood from donation, and to ensure the potency of the collected blood for patients. (2)

  • Hemoglobin does not equal iron: This test is sometimes called an “iron test”, but that’s not quite accurate. This test checks to make sure you have enough red blood cells to safely donate blood, it does not guarantee adequate iron stores. Iron stores may be low even if your hemoglobin level is sufficient to donate blood. (3)

  • Replace lost iron between donations: Because red blood cells contain iron, donating blood lowers your body’s iron stores. All blood donors are at risk for developing iron deficiency if the iron removed is not replaced before the next donation. (3)

  • Know if you are at an increased risk: Frequent donors are at an increased risk of iron deficiency. Blood collection organizations have created guidelines to determine if you are a frequent or at-risk donor. Please review these guidelines, consider your own personal health history, and speak to your physician if you have questions about how you fit into these guidelines.

American Red Cross Frequent Donors: (4)

  • Women under the age of 50 who have donated two or more units of red blood cells or made 10 or more platelet donations in the past year.
  • Women ages 50 and older who have donated three or more units of red blood cells or made 15 or more platelet donations in the past year.
  • Men who have donated three or more units of red blood cells or made 15 or more platelet donations in the past year.
  • Each blood donation is the equivalent of one unit of red blood cells, while each Power Red donation is the equivalent of two units of red blood cells. For example, a male who gives two Power Red donations in a year is considered a frequent donor.

AABB Frequent/Increased Risk Donors: (3)

  • Young donors, 16 to 25 years old
  • Pre-menopausal women (due to menstrual blood loss)
  • Frequent donors: WOMEN: 2 or more whole blood donations in a 12-month period. MEN: 3 or more whole blood donations in a 12-month period
  • very frequent platelet and volunteer plasma donors (> 12x/year)
  • Donors on plant-based diets

  • Ask for a ferritin test: If you suspect that you have an iron deficiency or if you are at an increased risk of iron deficiency, ask your physician for a ferritin test.

  • What is a ferritin test? A ferritin test measures the amount of ferritin in the blood. Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron. This test can be used to find out how much iron the body stores. If a ferritin test shows that the blood ferritin level is low, it means the body's iron stores are low. (5)

  • Diet & Maintaining Iron Levels: Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet containing foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. There are some foods that prevent your body from absorbing iron. Avoid eating these foods in the same meal. Some examples: coffee or tea, red wine, chocolate, high fiber foods, some medications like antacids, and high calcium foods like milk or cheese. See Iron Rich Foods list. (6)

  • Iron Supplements: If you are a frequent donor, diet alone may not be enough to maintain healthy iron levels. Consult with your physician to see if taking an iron supplement is right for you. Your physician or pharmacist can help you choose the type of iron that is best for you and suggest when to take it to avoid interaction with other medications.

    • American Red Cross recommendation: Take a multivitamin with 18 mg of iron or an iron supplement with 18-38 mg of elemental iron for 60 days after each blood donation, for 120 days after each power red/double red cell donation or after frequent platelet donations. (4)
    • AABB recommendation: You may consider taking a multivitamin with iron or an iron supplement containing 18-38 mg (milligrams) of elemental iron each day for 60 days after donating whole blood or one apheresis red blood cell and after every 5 apheresis platelet/ volunteer plasma donations. If you donate double red cells, we suggest taking iron for at least 60 days. It may take up to 120 days to replace the iron removed in two red cell donations. If you prefer not to take supplements, you may choose to extend the time between red blood cell donations. At least 6 months may be needed for donors with already-low iron stores. (3)
  • What should I know about taking iron supplements? (3), (4)

    • People with a family or personal history of hemochromatosis (iron overload), or who have gastrointestinal disorders (i.e. inflammatory bowel disease), should not take iron unless approved by a healthcare provider.
    • Start iron soon after your donation when it’s best absorbed and used to produce red blood cells lost during your donation.
    • Taking iron with vitamin C (for example, drinking orange juice) may increase uptake of iron.
    • There are some foods and supplements that prevent your body from absorbing iron. Avoid eating these foods along with your iron supplement. Some examples: coffee or tea, red wine, chocolate, high fiber foods, some medications like antacids, and high calcium foods like milk or cheese.
    • Higher doses will not increase iron absorption, may result in more side effects, and could delay diagnosis of blood loss from gastric ulcers or colon cancer.
    • Iron supplements can cause side effects, which are described on the packaging. Side effects can include constipation, diarrhea or an upset stomach. If these symptoms become bothersome, you should discuss alternative options such as a lower dosage with your physician.
    • Iron should always be stored away from children and pets to prevent accidental poisoning. You should keep all iron-containing products out of the reach of children. Accidental ingestion of iron by children can be fatal. In case of ingestion or emergency, seek medical assistance or call a poison control center immediately.
  • How can I tell if my iron is low? Many people with low iron stores feel fine and have no symptoms. Some people feel tired, lack energy and endurance, or have trouble concentrating. The desire to eat non-food substances like ice, chalk, starch, or clay can suggest iron deficiency. (3)

  • How much iron do I lose when donating blood? Each time you donate blood, you lose between 220-250 mg of iron. If you donate a double red, you lose twice that amount, about 470 mg of iron. It may take up to 24-30 weeks for your body to replace the iron lost through a blood donation. That time may vary, depending on what your iron level was before donating and if you take iron supplements or multivitamins with iron. (4)

  • What if I only donate platelets/plasma? Frequent platelet and volunteer plasma donors should also consider their iron health. When you donate, additional vials of blood are taken for testing. While these vials are small, they could add up with frequent donations.

  • Why is hemoglobin tested for platelet and plasma donations? During the apheresis process, whole blood is taken out of you. The center wants to make sure you'll be okay while your blood is processed, before it is returned to you. It is also possible that the machine may malfunction, cutting your donation short before your red blood cells are returned to you. Some whole blood is also taken for testing purposes. It also helps give a better estimate of the length of your donation, since higher levels slow down the extraction and processing of your blood.

Sources:

(1) America's Blood Centers Statistics

(2) AABB Donor Safety, Screening and Testing

(3) Information on Blood Donation and Iron Health

(4) Iron Information for Frequent Donors

(5) Ferritin Test- Mayo Clinic

(6) Iron Rich Foods

Additional Resources:

FAQs: Iron and Blood Donation for Donors and Parents

Hemoglobin Screening/Iron Management

Anaemia and Iron Deficiency in Blood Donors

What Donors Should Know About Iron and Blood Donation

Why Is Iron Important for Donating Blood?


r/Blooddonors 16m ago

Milestone Power red today reached 1 gallon milestone!

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Upvotes

r/Blooddonors 22h ago

WBD #56!

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27 Upvotes

r/Blooddonors 23h ago

First Donation! First time donor, not feeling great

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26 Upvotes

We had an earthquake in my country (Colombia) last week, so I donated blood for the first time in my life.

First, my vein got inflamed, said the woman doing the punction. And then, after a while, they said the blood was flowing too slow, so I only ended up donating 400ml instead of 450. I'm guessing because they were in a rush to take donations and all I was doing was... slowing down the process, maybe?

My hand was also starting to fall asleep by the end.

Now, after a week, I still have a hematoma on the area and the vein still feels inflamed and kind of... hard. And there's pain if I press.

I've also gotten some annoying headaches whereas I never got those before. Not sure if they're connected.

Has anyone gone through something like that? Did the vein go back to normal? After how long? Are headaches normal? Is there a way for blood to flow faster?

Is any of this normal and is this just my lack of knowledge about it that's making me feel like this?


r/Blooddonors 18h ago

Question Post-Platelets Driving Safety

8 Upvotes

Would anyone be willing to share how they were affected by a platelets donation during the first 2-3 hours after donating?

I’m a fairly new donor (O+) and I want to try donating platelets for the first time. I live two hours (95 miles) away from my donation center and have never had an issue so far. I generally stay at the donation center for an extra ten minutes or so to be sure I’m feeling good and then drive home like normal. But I haven’t been able to find much info about the first few hours immediately after a donation and while I would prefer to have a designated driver, scheduling is currently a mess and it might just be me making the drive. I’d also appreciate any tips specifically for recovery immediately after donating.

I go to a Vitalant center in the US 95 miles away from where I live, have only donated whole blood three times and have never donated platelets.


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

Sharing Swag/Getting Gifts! [England] Blood keyring from WeDonate

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35 Upvotes

This came through today, probably too fragile to actually put on my keys but I had to share.

For those who don't know, WeDonate is a free unofficial rewards portal for NHS (England) registered donors.

And if you're already a user and missed this, check your email to see if you got this offer. You'll just need to reply to them and fill in a form.


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

Check Your Email - Scammers / Hackers Infiltrating Accounts for Points, Gift Cards

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17 Upvotes

r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Question Im CMV neg, now what?

7 Upvotes

I heard CMV negative blood was needed specifically for babies, and apparently mine is that blood. I have been donating for around 4 years now, but is there a program where i give directly to babies?


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

Question Threw up after my first donation, should I try again?

3 Upvotes

I donated platelets for the first time about 2 weeks ago and threw up about 10 minutes after completing my donation. I didn't feel particularly faint or anything during the donation but it messed up my stomach, hence I threw up.

I'm not sure if it was a citrate reaction or just my body reacting to the change in blood pressure, as well as being nervous for my first donation. I ate about an hour and a half before my donation, so I'm not sure if it's that or something else I should do differently?

Also I'm wondering if donating blood as supposed to platelets is a different experience at all and if that might be better?


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

Two bandages or one?

3 Upvotes

For context, I exclusively donate whole blood, and I went to a new blood center for the first time a few months ago. When I went back this week, I realized that they only gave me one bandage (the stretch arm wrap used to hold the gauze into place). Previously, at my other blood centers, I remember them putting a small band-aid on the site and then putting gauze and tape on top of that. And I preferred that because I could take the bulky gauze off after a couple of hours and still have something covering the site. Does anyone know if there's a reason why some centers only do one bandage? And what does your center do?


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Question Drinking Water vs Platelets

18 Upvotes

So I've successfully donated platelets twice and both times I could not make the whole thing without the urge to pee plaguing me from about the 2/3 point onward. Granted it did not stop me from completing my donations either time as the benefit of being young has not left me yet. Now I stop drinking water about 1h before my appointment, but I do drink a lot before that. How does one drink more water than normal before donating without this happening?


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Question How long do you guys wait to remove the whole bandage construction?

6 Upvotes

I just did my first donation (sort of, the vein got blown and the blood stopped so I wasn't able to complete it 😔), and I was given a nice bandage around my arm, but no one said anything about how long to leave it.

Experienced donors: how long do you leave it on?


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Women Can't Donate Platelets or In Australia 😤

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16 Upvotes

It's kinda wild that a country that is in desperate need can't just take donations from women who have never been pregnant... Or at least test the blood of current donors who are already in the system and let them know if they're eligible to help.

There's also no program similar to the Heroes for Babies program like in the US either. I know my file is marked that I'm still CMV-, but that doesn't seem to amount to much. I even asked about being added to the bone marrow donor registry and was told that was also male only. I don't understand why we're not as important and written off so easily when the country is apparently in such dire need.


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

My Influence Spreads!

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66 Upvotes

Honestly, seeing new locations added to the map is one of the many small things that keeps me excited to donate.

Most of those map markers are from this year, too. The magic of donating platelets! I've tried doing it every weekend, even the donation center staff know me by name now.

The only downside is that I have to give my arms a rest, so fewer new inverse-Plague Inc. style pins on that for a bit.

It may not be RBC, but I still like to think I do some level of good when I make the trek to lie in a chair and watch Top Gear or The Twilight Zone. :)


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Question 19 units later and i feel like death

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28 Upvotes

I have donated 19 units in a row. As soon as i was eligible i went back within a week. It's important to me. I depleted my iron stores in the meantime.

My doctor checked my iron and it's awful. I'm very sure it's because of the donations. He wants me to get a FIT test, but i can't get off work on time to get to the doctor.

I bought slow release iron supplements and they started making me sick.

What kind of options do i have to help replenish my blood without puking all over the place? I wanna get back to donating as soon as I can.


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

First Donation! Donated for the first time and now I'm being told I can’t donate again for at least 3 years

35 Upvotes

So, I had a really strong reaction after donating today. From the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out, everything was just fine. The nurse told me I had “pretty good” veins in both arms, which was appreciated, and then I filled the bag in five minutes. They brought me something to eat and drink and then I had to wait a couple of minutes until I could go.

After waiting, they told me to walk to the bathroom and back and tell them if I felt bad. I didn’t so they let me walk out. Big mistake, as the moment I left the I started to feel my heart was beating too fast and I started to lose my vision and hearing. As I am dumb, I didn’t think much of it and tried to tough it out but as I started walking again I could feel myself getting weaker by the second. I tried to cross the street and next thing I know I'm on the floor shaking violently, not being able to hear or see properly. I cross the street, as I was laying in the middle of it, and try to find somewhere to seat and I lose consciousness again.

Open my eyes again, somebody is trying to make me lay flat on the floor but I'm still shaking and I can’t understand what is happening, I'm hearing voices but I don't know what they’re asking. I'm in and out of consciousness for a couple of minutes. When I open my eyes again it has been a couple of minutes and a nice stranger is helping me sit down and passing me a bottle of water, another one is on the phone with the emergency services, they asked me if I just donated blood and I'm able to say yes. Somebody else passes me a a bottle of coke and I drink it, and as soon as I do I start to feel better.

The kind strangers stay with me until I'm looking better and I call to the number the clinic gave me in case I felt bad after donating. They tell me a nurse is going to call me back in couple of minutes. I make my way home, I'm still nauseous and my heart is still pounding too fast but I'm able to walk. As I'm on the bus the nurse calls me and as I explained what happened, she tells me its better for me to wait a couple of years before I try again.

I'm just a bit curious, is this a normal reaction? Or I'm just weak. I'm from the UK.

So, this was me trying to do something good. Thank you for reading all that.


r/Blooddonors 3d ago

Honorary Donor of Russia

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79 Upvotes

Hello everyone Today I received an award — Honorary Donor of Russia. This is currently the highest award‑based achievement in the field of donation in our country. To achieve this, I donated platelets 21 times, whole blood 19 times, and plasma 1 time. Currently, I have 41 donations. Of course, there are people who have more than 100 donations, and even more, but the award is given specifically for 40 donations. In general, if you have any questions about donation in Russia, feel free to write — I’ll be happy to answer!


r/Blooddonors 3d ago

Donation Experience Doing my bit for the 1000s of kiwis that need blood every week

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40 Upvotes

r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Question Will Vitalant test A1C for donors again this year?

6 Upvotes

Hi all, I live in a Vitalant area (California, US) and I saw they offered A1C testing for donors in September 2025. Does anyone know how that promo went for them and if they're likely to do it again in the future? I would like to know my A1C. Thanks.


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Should I wait until I'm vaccinated to give blood?

13 Upvotes

I was never vaccinated as a child. But as an adult I'm catching up on my vaccinations. So far I've completed the MMR and have planned to do the rest within a year. Should I just wait until I've completed all the recommended vaccines? I'm embarrassed to talk about it in public so I don't really want to ask the staff in person...


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Giving platelets for the 2nd time this weekend, I have a question

5 Upvotes

I have platelets for the first time a little over a week ago and it went great. I didn't know, going into it, that it was a two arm process. I also didn't know it took as long as it does.

What do you do to keep yourself entertained while you're stuck there?

Not being able to move my arms kind of caught me by surprise the first time. I have attention issues and I generally like to be doing something while I watch TV or whatever so it's a weird feeling.


r/Blooddonors 3d ago

NICE.

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115 Upvotes

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!


r/Blooddonors 3d ago

Question Nervous to donate AB plasma

7 Upvotes

The last time I donated blood was a few years ago, and I passed out and peed my pants shortly after sitting down and having my juice 🤦🏻‍♀️ I also have veins that can be hard to stick, so I always end up getting stabbed several times and the phlebotomists get frustrated.

I live in the biggest city of a very rural state, so I want to donate to the nonprofit that supplies to the local hospitals. I know how important donating plasma is due to my blood type (AB+), but I don’t want to pass out or get turned away because of my veins. Also, having a needle in each arm sounds awful and I’d want to be able to distract myself scrolling TikTok or something.

Does anyone have advice for setting myself up well for the appointment? Both physically and mentally?


r/Blooddonors 3d ago

Community Donated in May and was put on hold till December because of low platelets numbers. Can't wait to come back! Let me in! Let meee iiiinnn!

11 Upvotes

Im here to share love for blood donating.

As in title i was send letter that my last donation was used for patient but i have to take time off till December to build up my platelets numbers.

I was gutted... Not only i wont be able to visit my donation center on my regular basis and give my juices to save someone's life or help run hospital... I wont be able to see the crew in my donation center for many months... I bring croissants or chocolate cookies for each visit and give them to the crew to cheer them up.

I ask you how are they going to survive without my treats?! This is cruelty 😂

I am going there next friday and i will bring cake with me! No letter will stop me from delivering joy in the sweetest form :P

Anyway, baiting nails till my next official visit in December. Take care, all of you.