BLOOD BANK-SAN DIEGO - IMPERIAL VALLEY BLOOD SERVICES, OFC

What You Should Know Prior to Donating

There is more than one type of blood donation. You have some choices about how to make a difference in life!

Whole blood donation - you donate a pint of whole blood which can be used either whole or separated into blood components. The actual donation takes about 15 minutes.

Apheresis donation - you donate a specific blood component, such as red blood cells. More red blood cells can be donated at one time by apheresis than by a whole blood donation. The apheresis donation is done using a machine which separates out the desired blood component. An apheresis donation may take up to an hour, so come ready to read or relax!

What You Should Eat Before Donating

A healthy diet helps ensure a successful blood donation, and also makes you feel better! Check out the following recommended foods to eat prior to your donation.

Low fat foods

Iron rich foods

Friday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Closed Sunday - Thursday

What You Should Do Prior To Donating

Make an appointment beforehand to minimize your wait time.

Drink plenty of fluids and have a good meal before you donate.

Review the donor requirements and verify that you are indeed eligible to donate at this time.

If you plan to donate on a bloodmobile, make sure to review the bloodmobile schedule to verify that it has not been cancelled or rescheduled.

If you are a 17 or 18 year-old high school student, you must have a signed permission slip to donate blood.

The San Diego Blood Bank must collect 400 pints of blood every day in order to meet the needs of area hospital patients who are battling life-threatening blood disorders like aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia and leukemia, as well as those who need blood during trauma situations.

Their stories are very real and their need for blood is ongoing. Please take the time to read about a few of our patients whose lives have been directly affected by volunteer blood donors.

Medical professionals are available at each of our Community Blood Centers and bloodmobiles who will discuss and evaluate each donor's health history and activities in a confidential setting prior to blood donation. The final determination of eligibility is made at that time. Certain donor eligibility criteria are specified by the Food and Drug Administration, State of California and AABB and European Union (EU).

The remaining criteria is determined by the Medical Director of the San Diego Blood Bank and may differ among the types of donations and with the criteria from other blood centers. Donor eligibility criteria is intended to protect the health and safety of the donor and the patient who will receive the transfusion.