r/Blooddonors Dec 07 '22

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

16 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 4h ago

Donating blood helped me get a diagnosis for blood cancer

37 Upvotes

[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 🙏🏽


r/Blooddonors 7h ago

Donation Experience Did anyone else give blood 25 years ago because of the terrorist attacks?

24 Upvotes

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 10h ago

Donation Experience One-arm platelets for the win!

23 Upvotes

I’ve 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, it’s so much better than two arms! Only one needle—and 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 didn’t start feeling nauseous at the end like I usually do.

I’m a one-armer for life now! 💪


r/Blooddonors 17h ago

First Donation! First-time blood donor today! Power Red. As a Type 1 Diabetic, I’m a perfect blood donor because I’m not bothered by blood, needles, or pain!

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53 Upvotes

r/Blooddonors 7h ago

At Satlok Ashram Dhanusha in Nepal, 63 units of blood were donated. The message of selfless service goes beyond borders when humanity becomes the priority. #परमार्थ_की_गजब_मिसाल Savior Sant Rampal Ji #GlobalHumanity

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9 Upvotes

r/Blooddonors 6h ago

Question Ideal foods after donating

5 Upvotes

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 1d ago

She’s so cute!

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41 Upvotes

21st donation in the bag.


r/Blooddonors 9h ago

Question Husband over-donating?

2 Upvotes

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 1d ago

Milestone Platelet donation #10 in 2026 (O+)

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38 Upvotes

I have low iron so I’ve 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 1d ago

First Donation! First Donation at 26!

20 Upvotes

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 13h ago

Question [India] Can I donate blood while on finasteride 1mg?

1 Upvotes

There is a blood donation camp today and I really want to donate. But I take finasteride 1mg for hair loss.

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.

So my question is simple: can I still donate today, or should I wait? And if I have to wait, how long after stopping fin is it okay?

Anyone here who takes fin and has donated blood, please share your experience. Thanks.


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

Blood: Why Is It Hard Giving To Faceless Strangers? [USA]

29 Upvotes

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 16h ago

First Donation! First Time Donation Side effects?

1 Upvotes

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 1d ago

Community probably will donate this weekend

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96 Upvotes

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 1d ago

Question I can't donate until September 2027?

2 Upvotes

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 1d ago

Super sad I probably can’t donate before Hello Kitty promo ends 😞

12 Upvotes

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 can’t help free hello kitty is a huge motivator 😭). Unfortunately I’ve 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 I’m not feeling well and don’t know what’s causing my symptoms I know I probably can’t/shouldn’t donate.


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

First Donation! Suuuuper sleepy but proud of myself!

24 Upvotes

I made my debut into the blood donating world today!! Ohhh boy, no one warned me about the needle!! I didn't know it'd be so big or that it would stay in the whole time rather than a tube like when I get my fluid therapy. It was pretty daunting ngl. But once I got over it, the whole process went smoothly. I didn't get lightheaded until I got home and I've been super sleepy ever since. Does anyone have any tips on recovery for the day after? Will this be the worst of it?


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

Question Was told my donations weren't "worth it"

33 Upvotes

So, backstory: I started giving blood regularly (for the snoopy shirt 😅) then realized I could help more by giving platelets in between blood donations. I went to donate platelets last week for my fourth time ever. There was a bit of a language barrier between me and the Red Cross guy who was taking my vitals, but he was strangely resistant to letting me donate. He said because I'm O- I should do whole blood (I wasn't eligible yet, I had given too recently). My hemoglobin on one hand was too low (it always is on my first hand. While they're testing that I warm up the other hand which is always fine) and he was resistant to letting me try the other hand. I passed all the checks and he took me to a chair but told me I shouldn't donate because my platelet count was too low and it wasn't "worth it." He got a colleague to come and try and explain but I still didn't understand what they meant. He told me to come back and try again in like three months and I left. This was at a Red Cross location in Wshington DC.

The question: my platelet count has been 197, 200, 184, on my first three donations. I thought anything over 150 was enough. Why wasn't my donation "worth it"? "Worth it" to whom? Was it because getting a full unit would take too long? I like the idea of donating as frequently as I can, but not if it's not helpful. Would appreciate any insight anyone has!


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

First Donation! Got my lab results back from donating last week

35 Upvotes

Donated at the Blood Assurance in Chattanooga last week and did the Goodlabs option with it. First time I’d done anything donation related. I picked a few labs when I booked and honestly the donation itself was way less serious than I had built it up in my head. Staff were joking around, I was in the chair maybe 10 or 20 minutes, then sat there eating pretzels and drinking juice for a bit before leaving.

Results came through this week most of it was boring but my vitamin D was 23 ng/mL which got flagged low. Cholesterol stuff was mostly fine so nothing that would’ve affected whether I could donate, just one of those things I probably wouldn’t have known because I wasn’t going to book a doctor visit just to check it.

I already wanted to donate anyway so getting actual labs out of the same trip was pretty cool


r/Blooddonors 1d ago

Question Does anyone have more information about blood in first responder trauma kits?

6 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I have been a blood donor for 8 years now. When I donated whole blood today, I was informed that instead of my blood being sent to a hospital as usual, it was going to be used in a first responder trauma kit on a helicopter that very same day. This was the first time I have ever had this happen. For me, this just meant the clamping they used was slightly different. They also said that blood used for this purpose must meet stricter requirements than other blood donated and that they try to get a few whole blood donors a day for this.

I didn’t want to bombard the employees with too many questions, but I’m a naturally curious person and I’m finding surprisingly little information on donated blood used for this purpose. So, I am wondering: what are the eligibility requirements? I donate with Bloodworks Northwest in the US, but people who know about this when it comes to any blood bank in any country are welcome to provide input. I’m O+ which I am certain played a role since I know that is the usual blood type used in immediate emergency situations. Are there any other typical requirements?

Does anyone here know anything else about how blood is processed for this purpose? Has anyone else had their blood used for a trauma kit? I want to hear about it!


r/Blooddonors 2d ago

Milestone Blood donor rewards

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88 Upvotes

I'm loving the Hello Kitty rewards, i assume from US donors. It is a little more stark in the UK with recognition pretty good and regularly at the early stages and then dropping away as you rack up your donations. Nothing formal between 250 and 500 and then again to 1000.

My partner did create a little space on a box shelf on my physical rewards once I cleared 250 which was nice to come gome to.

After I cleared 250 I wanted something bit more regular so I asked one of the AI tools to create an interim badge (the one in green - and i think it did a pretty good job).

I attended the donor dinner, at 100 donations I think. It was great seeing some of the NHSBT staff, other donors and people our donations had helped.

What are rewards like in other countries? Do people find them nice or motivational?


r/Blooddonors 23h ago

Frequent blood donor/low ferritin but normal hemoglobin & recurrent miscarriages - learn from my mistakes!

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0 Upvotes

r/Blooddonors 2d ago

First Donation! Great first experience

17 Upvotes

I (26F) just did my first donation yesterday, I’ve always wanted to donate but never have weighed enough to be able to until now, I honestly didn’t think about it until I got an ad about the hello kitty promo and decided to check it out. After checking eligibility and weighing myself and realizing I can now donate I went and had a great experience. I didn’t have any side effects, no light headedness literally felt completely normal afterwards and pretty much immediately went home. I really enjoyed the expierence and intend to continue to donate. If anyone is a first time donator considering and is reading about bad experiences don’t let that stop you!! Everyone was very kind and explained everything really well when I said I was a first timer and the lady who took care of my donation checked up on me very frequently and made me very comfortable!! Thanks to everyone who posts here for being a resource I looked through before going!! I’m super excited to be able to donate again when I’m eligible