Donor FAQs

Step 1. Medical History
We ask you routine health questions to make sure that the donation is safe for you and anyone handling your blood.

Step 2. Pre-Donation Screening
Each donor, regardless of how long he or she has been donating, must pass a pre-donation screening at every visit. During the screening, a technician will take your vital signs (i.e. blood pressure, pulse, and temperature). The technician will also take a little blood from your finger to measure your hematocrit. Hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells. These measurements will tell us if it is safe for you to donate.

Step 3. The Donation Process
After we prepare the collection bag and clean your arm, we perform a venipuncture (vein stick). When you donate Whole Blood, you are not at risk of acquiring any sort of disease. The tubing and all other collection supplies that come in contact with your blood are discarded and replaced with new sterile materials each time a donation is performed.

Step 4. Compensation
After your donation, you will be compensated for your time. The entire process takes about 30 minutes.

Step 5. Plan Your Next Visit
On your way out, you are reminded when you may donate again. You cannot donate more than 1 time in any 8 week period.

To donate Whole Blood, you must be a healthy individual 18 to 70 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, have a valid ID and permanent address, and pass all other required donor eligibility criteria. Following a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water before donating is also recommended.

Donating is a very safe procedure with minimal or no side effects. Our professional staff is dedicated to making your visit comfortable and rewarding. You can spend the donation time relaxing, listening to music or catching up on your reading.

On each visit we will check your vital signs and hematocrit and record your medical history.

You cannot donate more than 1 time in any 8 week period. 

Approximately 30 minutes.  

The IBBI testing facilities performs extensive screening tests on a sample of every single donation collected within our system. Each donation is thoroughly tested for various infectious agents including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and Syphilis.

Laboratory technicians at our state-of-the-art testing facilities in Memphis, TN, conduct over 2 million tests each year.

Yes, we do compensate our donors as way to thank you for your commitment to the donation process. Please click on Locations to find the location nearest you. You can contact your preferred location and they will answer any questions you have about the compensation structure.

• A current, government-issued ID with photo
• Social security card
• If your current address is different than what is on your ID, please also bring a piece of mail with your current address, such as a utility bill.