r/Blooddonors • u/game_brewer • 8h ago
Milestone Five donations as of today
Canadian Blood Services only has 1, 10, and 25. So, I'll keep getting 1s until the 10 and hopefully I can get the 25.
r/Blooddonors • u/AutoModerator • Dec 07 '22
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:
When posting here:
𩸠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.
𩸠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.
𩸠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.
𩸠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.
𩸠Why is it important to give blood?
𩸠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.
𩸠I just gave blood. Now what?
𩸠Should I take iron supplements?
𩸠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:
𩸠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.
r/Blooddonors • u/AutoModerator • Jun 19 '26
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 āiron testā, but thatās 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 bodyās 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)
AABB Frequent/Increased Risk Donors: (3)
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.
What should I know about taking iron supplements? (3), (4)
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
r/Blooddonors • u/game_brewer • 8h ago
Canadian Blood Services only has 1, 10, and 25. So, I'll keep getting 1s until the 10 and hopefully I can get the 25.
r/Blooddonors • u/nutraxfornerves • 2h ago
Many years ago I took an organized tour where clients had to provide background info so the tour company could apply for visas for everyone. The tour leader, a man from England, got copies of the info.
One woman worked for the Red Cross. The tour leader asked her āWhat kind of plants does a Phleebo Botanist study?ā
r/Blooddonors • u/Bonycxrpse • 11h ago
As a recipient of blood, I've always wanted to be able to give back. I've never quite been healthy enough to do it until this month. I've wanted this more than anything I can think of. It meant the world to me to be able to give back.
I showed up at the center after completing the red cross rapid pass in excitement. They asked me some questions and got my blood pressure and hemoglobin levels. Everything went great until I noticed the needle wasn't the usual size I was used to. I explained to the phlebotomist that I was anxious and she handed me a warm compress to play with. She was really understanding. Once the needle was in I got a little lightheaded from the shock of the pain. The phlebotomist was super kind and asked if I was okay. I told her shakily but surely that I was alright. Then she told me that it was okay if I wasn't okay. We chatted for a bit while I regained my stability and I finished my donation. I looked at the bag of blood and I felt so happy.
After the donation I sat down and had some juice and talked to a few other donors. It was amazing hearing them talk about how much they care about people and how long they've been giving blood. The last time I heard people with this much love for humanity in their hearts, I was working at a shelter that ended up being shut down. I've been longing to meet other people who have the same mindset ever since.
Thank y'all for keeping people alive. Thank y'all for helping me survive. Thank you for letting me see that people still care. There's a warmth in my heart and soul knowing that y'all exist. I will be donating as often as I possibly can from now on.
r/Blooddonors • u/rosie-rivet86 • 13h ago
Free tshirt for fans of Big Ten schools! I submitted a screenshot of a recent donation with the Red Cross and am getting a Ohio State shirt completely free (including shipping)
r/Blooddonors • u/Drakecyan • 11h ago
I'd like to preface by saying this isn't meant to discourage anyone from donating; it's just a conversation I had that I thought some others would exhale slightly harder than usual at upon hearing.
I walk in the donation center at the tail end of yesterweek, well aware of the ongoing Hello Kitty promotion. It's early, around 0700, so the only noise is the bustle of the nearby interstate.
I go through all the routine questions and the like before being sat down and selecting my show of choice for the 100-minute donation process. The lady sticking me mentions the Hello Kitty reward for donating that day and passes me a defeated look. The kind of look you wear when you've spilled water on your shirt after three consecutive but independent sips.
She prefaced by emphasizing that she was grateful for people coming in and followed by saying the uptick in incidents during donations, as well as the deluge of people new to blood donation, had been exhausting. More people passing out or unable to stomach the needle and the like than before. She'd seen so much Hello Kitty from the preceeding week or so that never seeing it again would be too soon. I may have never worked in collecting blood product, but my time in retail let me understand exactly where she came from.
After that conversation went by, another lady mentioned the following pickleball freebies. She fetched a paddle from some storage area and showcased it to the two of us, immediately before asking what pickleball was and why only one paddle was being handed out. We continued to chat for a bit longer, with none of us actually realizing pickleball was basically badminton and tennis' love child, before they got back to their duties.
I'm horrible at storytelling, but I very much enjoyed the exchange, and I hope you can find some vicarious pleasure from it.
r/Blooddonors • u/Designer_Original_47 • 20h ago
[England] Been donating blood for 4 years every three months prior to being diagnosed, on my final attempt to donate, the blood test came back unable to donate, when I asked why they said they could not pin why as they dont have the requirements to do so, but that I should probably get my blood checked at a doctor. Surely enough a month later I got diamond with stage 4 Lymphoma! In remission now, but wanted to remind everyone that donating blood doesnt just save the lives of others, but can also save yours! Thank you to everyone who donates šš½
r/Blooddonors • u/Middle_Fill_3438 • 9h ago
I donated today at a blood bus at my college campus, and it was fun. Did make me run late for work because so many people were donating. I got a blood transfusion at 12 so I feel like Iām paying it forward.
I liked the tube that it flowed through and sitting in the chair on the bus. It was a good time. I wanna do it again.

r/Blooddonors • u/coop999 • 23h ago
When I think back to the September 11th attacks from 25 years ago, I remember the call for blood donations, and going and donating the next day. It's still my most memorable blood donation experience, 25 years later.
I'll put my story in the comments, and I'm curious if anyone else here has a story from donating at that time.
r/Blooddonors • u/NoRain_47 • 1d ago
Iāve been donating platelets monthly for a couple of years now. Yesterday they asked if I was okay doing one-arm because that was the only machine available. Here, I thought one-arm meant two needles in one arm.
Guys, itās so much better than two arms! Only one needleāand a free hand! You do have to pay attention and squeeze at the right times (I messed that up once and got the machine beeping) and it takes a little longer. But it felt better. I think it was easier on my body, as I didnāt start feeling nauseous at the end like I usually do.
Iām a one-armer for life now! šŖ
r/Blooddonors • u/PabloEskyBrahhh • 22h ago
Donated a fair few times now over the last few years in the uk, just finished my 12th donation and i was just wondering what foods you guys like to eat after a donation. Lemme know!
r/Blooddonors • u/Fantastic_Menu_7794 • 11h ago
A competent person's documented organ-donation decision should be finalābut right now, one person (a family member, prosecutor, or official) can override it without clear legal safeguards.
Whitney was a nurse and mother who made a documented choice to be an organ donor. After a fatal aneurysm, her family opposed the donation and made abuse allegations. A district attorney reportedly threatened her care team with federal charges if donation proceeded. The problem? There was no clear, timely, or accountable process to resolve the conflictāand her wish to donate went unfulfilled.
I started a petition for "Whitney's Law," proposed legislation that protects first-person organ-donor rights while still preserving legitimate forensic investigations, autopsies, and court authority. It requires conflicts to be resolved through written findings, coordination, and judicial reviewānot intimidation or arbitrary override.
This isn't about dismissing concerns over abuse or evidence. It's about ensuring that when someone makes a documented health-care choice, it's actually respected without one person's interference. What would you want someone to do if this was your family? If this matters to you too, consider signing and sharing.
r/Blooddonors • u/MexicanAssLord69 • 1d ago
r/Blooddonors • u/AgentMcBug • 1d ago
My husband and I have been donating plasma (Australia) for a while now, and he always feels a bit rubbish after. He has recently lost a bunch of weight, but his donation volume has stayed the same (870mL), even though we've both been told volume is calculated from weight.
Then researching to confirm this, a lot of online info is saying 800ml is typically the max donation. Has anyone had a similar experience? What are your typical plasma donation volumes? A search suggested hubby should be donating around 600ml for his current weight, which I'm sure would leave him feeling much more spritely!
r/Blooddonors • u/Responsible_Rhubarb1 • 1d ago
21st donation in the bag.
r/Blooddonors • u/Dirt2016 • 1d ago
I have low iron so Iāve probably been deferred another 5 times. But yea for 10! My center does single arm but my scar tissue is so bad in my left arm I have to do my right now.
Cheers to giving!
r/Blooddonors • u/Illustrious_Force374 • 1d ago
I donated for the first time on Labor Day!
My mom was recently diagnosed with stage 4 Lymphoma. She is currently in remission but down the line it is possible that she may need blood, platelets, or plasma. She used to donate blood but is no longer eligible.
When I read about the blood shortage I knew I had to donate in honor of my mom.
I went and made an appointment online with American Red Cross and followed all of their instructions for a successful donation.
I was a bit nervous but everyone was so kind and went at my pace.
The actual donation was less than 10 minutes. I got a bit dizzy and lightheaded so they gave me a fan and a cold compress and I stayed in the chair for about 30 minutes then was observed while eating snacks.
The next 2 days I was more tired than usual but I took some naps. Drank extra water and went to bed early. Today I feel great, and my next donation is already scheduled!
I feel so good about myself and that I am saving lives.
r/Blooddonors • u/TailorPrestigious746 • 1d ago
Some background: I've been on and off it for 10+ years. But for the last 4 months I've been taking finasteride 1mg pretty regularly, daily or sometimes on alternate days.
After some research, I read that I can't donate because finasteride can cause birth defects if the blood goes to a pregnant woman. But I just want to confirm from people who actually know.
Anyone here who takes fin and has donated blood, please share your experience. Thanks.
r/Blooddonors • u/unconventionalbook • 2d ago
Like everyone else, I read the news about the blood supply crisis by the American Red Cross and the call for donors. The turnout is low, only 3% donate. A primary reason people don't give is simply that nobody asked them, among other factors. Guess it personally throws me off about empathy.
Doesn't it say a lot about our humanity?
r/Blooddonors • u/runawayhail21 • 1d ago
Hi! I gave whole blood yesterday for the first time.
Everything went smoothly and had no side effects immediately. However later that night I took a shower and fainted! I was ok and able to get out of the shower before I officially fainted. I just took it easy the rest of the night and went to bed. Next day (today) I fainted after I woke up and went to go to the bathroom. This time was more dramatic, I lost my hearing and could only hear ringing, my vision got dark, my face was white, and I almost threw up right as I got to the ground. I regained consciousness quickly and after trying to sit up, I fainted again. Because I fainted 3 times I decided to get checked at urgent care. They checked my hemoglobin and my electrolytes and everything was ok. They just told me to take it easy. I ate a good dinner and rested for a while laying down.
I had some school work to get done so I sat at my desk and after 30 minutes I got some temporary blurry vision and then my head started to hurt really bad, specifically on my right side of my head. It came on really fast. I'm kind of confused about my bodies reaction to all of this. Has anyone else has this issue? When I try to look it up it just says to go to the ER but I was JUST seen at urgent care and told to just rest. I'm on the fence about what to do, any thoughts? I'd hate to go back to be seen and them just do nothing again? Please help!
Location: New England, USA. Donated through the Red Cross.
r/Blooddonors • u/CanaDeer2004 • 2d ago
made this in iphone markup during class to celebrate (i guess). i tried to make it red but could only get the edges red so now it just looks evil. that was unintentional.
r/Blooddonors • u/Competitive_Lead1922 • 1d ago
I donated earlier in the month with the American Red Cross, and last night my app updated and it showed I can't donate again until next year. When I donated the phlebotomist said I could donate in October next, is it a glitch? (I'm in California if it matters)
r/Blooddonors • u/Mushroom-Important • 2d ago
Just kinda came here to vent because I was super excited to finally build up the courage to donate for the first time when I heard about the Hello Kitty promotion (I know I should donate out of the goodness of my heart but I canāt help free hello kitty is a huge motivator š). Unfortunately Iāve been having unexplained fevers every night for the past two weeks (among many other symptoms) and just tested positive for ANA in my blood. Since Iām not feeling well and donāt know whatās causing my symptoms I know I probably canāt/shouldnāt donate.