Your blood volume is replaced within a few hours. Plasma is restored following a meal. Your red cells replace themselves more slowly, usually in about 4-8 weeks.

Most patients do not require blood transfusions. Your doctor will have discussed or will discuss this with you.

Anyone in good health, age 17 or older, may donate blood. Donors must weigh 110 ponds or more. There are some medical conditions that can temporarily or even permanently keep you from giving blood. People who have been exposed to hepatitis or the AIDS virus are not eligible to donate, nor are those with a history of cancer, or heart disease. Our donor guidelines are set to protect the donor's health and safety as well as the health of the recipient.

Almost everyone is a candidate regardless of age or current state of health. Age, disease, or state of health does not eliminate an individual from being a donor, but may affect what tissues can be used from the donated body. Medical research and education criteria for donation are less stringent than for transplant donation.

After you donate, your unit of Whole Blood is divided into different components and transfused into patients who need the specific component. Some examples of how your blood is used are:

It takes the body 24 – 48 hours to replace the plasma portion that is about 80% water and 3 – 5 weeks to replace the red cells. Donors are encouraged to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluid before and following the donation to assist the replacement process. Also, regular and frequent donors should eat plenty of iron-containing foods (ex. meat).

Although it may seem like a lot of blood goes into the tubes, it is really a very small portion of your total blood supply. Each tube contains about one teaspoon of blood compared to the average adult's total blood volume of about 1 gallon. If you have a drink of water or juice right after, your blood volume will be back to normal within an hour or so. Your body will replace the missing blood cells within a few days.

It usually takes about 45 minutes for screening, donating a unit, and a short rest period after you are finished. The actual donation itself takes about 15 minutes.

Some medications, or the underlying cause for taking the medication may not permit you to donate blood. If you are an IBD patient and/or are taking any drugs/medications and would like to give blood, please contact your local blood donor clinic for details. Some of our Regional Offices may have insurance brokers they can refer you to. While these brokers do cover inflammatory bowel diseases, it's usually life insurance policies.

Donating your child's cord blood or storing it for private use is a personal decision that only you can make. If you have a child with leukemia or other disease that may be treatable by transplant and you are pregnant, talk with your oncologist or pediatrician about saving your baby's cord blood. Families may feel a great deal of pressure from the promotions and advertisements they receive from the for-profit private storage cord blood banks.

If you are interested, or someone you know is interested, in donating cord blood, look for a Cord Blood Bank or collecting hospital within or close to your community. There are only a small number of cord blood banks in the United States, so donation to a local bank is not possible in many areas.

Not from one week before until 3 weeks after the shot. It is a stress to your body - which is what you are trying to avoid.

Yes, there are several mechanisms available for donating your own blood before surgery. It is possible to donate at a local blood bank and have it shipped to the hospital, but specific guidelines must be followed. Also, be aware that there are usually fees associated with the collection, processing, and testing of "autologous" blood for which the patient will be responsible. Please contact our office for additional information on how to arrange for autologous donation.

A healthy individual ( male or Female ) can donate blood once in 90 days subject to an acceptable level of pre - donation Hemoglobin concentration.