Donating blood is a quick and simple process that takes less than 45 minutes of your time.

You’ll be screened and interviewed to determine your blood donation eligibility. Medical screening for donation includes a check of your temperature, pulse and blood pressure, followed by a finger-stick blood test to make sure you have enough blood to donate.

After screening and registration, you can relax in a comfortable donation chair while we collect blood, which takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Following the donation, you’ll rest and be provided with a drink and a snack to reinvigorate you before you leave and resume your normal daily activities.

No. In fact, we encourage you to eat a regular meal and drink fluids before and after donating blood.

Yes. Please bring your identification, a list of your medications, recent immunizations and recent travel history.

You must be in good health, 17 years of age or older and weigh at least 120 pounds.

If you’re 16 years old, you may donate blood if a parent or guardian provides written permission. You must also pass some interview questions and a mini-physical to ensure you can donate blood.

In addition to the requirements above, there are some reasons you may be asked to hold off on donating blood. Common reasons include:

• low blood count
• illness or surgery
• elevated or low pulse or blood pressure

Other reasons may include your travel history, a new tattoo or certain medications that may affect the blood. Our staff will help ensure that you can donate blood.

If you’ve had cancer, you might still be able to donate blood—but it depends on your cancer type and treatment.

You can’t donate if you’ve had Kaposi sarcoma or a blood cancer like leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma.

For most other cancers, you may donate if:

• You’ve finished treatment.
• It’s been at least 12 months since treatment ended.
• There’s been no sign of cancer coming back.

Some cancers, like non-melanoma skin cancer or cancer in situ, usually don’t require a waiting period. Pre-cancers typically don’t prevent donation if treated.

Rules vary by donation center, so call your local center to confirm. And don’t worry—cancer cannot be passed through a blood transfusion.