Not everyone is eligible to give blood. If you’d like to donate blood, you must:

• Be in good health and not be sick on the day of donation
• Weigh at least 110 lbs.
• Be at least 16 years old (although this can vary depending on the state)

You should wait three days before donating if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine. There are also certain medication restrictions and considerations based on your medical history and considerations based on your travel out of the country.

Once you know you’re eligible for donating blood and you have scheduled an appointment, follow these tips to set yourself up for success.

Before
Make sure you do not feel sick on the day of your appointment. You should drink lots of water before you go. This will make it easier for the phlebotomist (the medical professional who draws your blood) to find a vein. It’s also a smart idea to eat a meal to help your body bounce back after giving blood. And don’t smoke or drink.

Check-in and During
Make sure to wear a face mask to the facility where you’ll be donating blood. Staff will also be wearing face masks to help protect everyone from the spread of COVID-19. You should bring your current photo ID, too. And it’s easiest to wear a short-sleeved shirt so the phlebotomist can easily access your arms.

You should be prepared to fill out a questionnaire that asks about your medical history. You also will probably have your blood pressure taken and a finger prick to make sure your iron levels are sufficient. Once you’re good to go, donating blood typically takes only about 10-15 minutes. You will be laying down or slightly reclined back in a reclining chair and you can just relax. Often there will be music playing and if you don’t like the site of blood you don’t need to see anything! You can donate blood every 56 days. If you donate platelets (cells that help with blood clotting), this will take 90 minutes and can be done every seven days, while donating plasma will take 40 minutes and can be done every 28 days.

After
When your donation is over, you might feel a little tired or dizzy. The staff will have you sit for about 15 minutes for observation and offer light snacks and juice and drinks to make sure you’re feeling good. After that you’re good to go and can drive yourself home. Your body will replace the fluid and blood you’ve lost over the next hours so take it easy that day in particular. Speak up if you feel ill before you leave the donation center.

Focus on staying hydrated to help your body replenish that fluid. You can put a cold pack on your arm where the needle went in if you develop a bruise. Talk to your healthcare provider if you get sick with symptoms such as a fever within a few days after your donation

Some people feel nervous about donating blood which is completely normal. Maybe the thought of the needle or of the blood itself makes you uncomfortable. If you feel nervous, that’s okay! These fears are natural.

Ask a family or friend if they’ll come to the blood drive with you. Having a familiar face can help keep you calm (and distracted, if necessary). 

You can ask the blood drive staff about any questions or concerns you have. They’ll be more than happy to answer your questions. It might also be helpful to find someone you know who has donated blood in the past so they can explain how the process works.

As mentioned above, you do not need to watch the donation happen or see any blood, just lie back and relax and let the staff do the work. 

Finally, continue reminding yourself of how important and valuable blood donors are. At the end of the day, you’re doing this to help someone else—potentially even saving their life—and that makes it all worth it.

What should you not do before giving blood?
You should not smoke or drink alcohol before giving blood. Make sure you’re hydrated, nourished, and feeling well — you can’t donate blood if you’re sick.

How long does it take to recover from giving blood?
You might feel a little tired or dizzy after donating blood, but you should still be able to drive yourself home. Your body will replace the fluid and blood you’ve lost over the next few days and weeks.

What happens if you give blood on an empty stomach?
If you give blood on an empty stomach, you might experience low blood pressure which could cause dizziness or other symptoms. Eat a meal before you go and consider focusing on iron-rich foods like red meat, beans and dark green leafy vegetables. Donating blood means you’re losing iron.

Giving blood is an easy way to help people who need it and with the current blood shortage, it’s more important than ever. To get started, find a blood drive location near you.