How many times have you donated blood?    Enter a whole number from 0 to 999. Note: The following information will be based on whole blood donations. It may not be accurate for apheresis donors.

The Red Cross is committed to protecting the safety of both donors and potential recipients of donated blood.

Donor Safety
Donating blood is a safe and easy process.

• It is not possible to get AIDS or other infectious disease by giving blood.
  A sterile, disposable needle is used for each blood donation. Once used, the needle is discarded.
• Feeling faint or fatigued after donating blood is rare or minor.
  If it occurs, it most likely will pass in a matter of hours.
• You can only donate if your health history permits and you feel well.
  You are asked some health questions and are given a mini physical — temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and red cell count check - prior to donation to ensure that you are feeling well and that it is safe for you to give blood.
• Your health history and test results are confidential and cannot be given out without your permission, except as required by law.
• You can help ensure your experience is a positive and rewarding one:
  Stay in the canteen area for the requested period of time; mention to the staff any unusual feelings or sensations; and avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for about 5 hours after donating.

Blood Safety
Assuring the safety of the blood supply is a high-tech process requiring rigorous testing, proper processing, labeling, and storage, and careful quality control. To help ensure that the blood is as safe as possible, the American Red Cross:

• Accepts donations only from voluntary blood donors
• Provides information about high-risk behaviors associated with transmissible diseases that may impact one's ability to donate blood
• Conducts a behavioral and health history interview and a mini physical exam with all donors prior to donation
• Provides a confidential 800-number donors can call with any questions or concerns post donation
• Tests every donation* for infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B and C virus, syphilis, and other infectious diseases, and discards units which have abnormal test results
• Invests in research and technology to support the development of new and more sophisticated tests

Tests performed on each unit of donated blood

NOTE: This list is subject to change as new blood safety opportunities and requirements emerge. Additional tests may be performed to meet special patient needs.