Blood Donation is a Priceless Gift
Generous donors like you can provide a life-saving gift to AdventHealth patients. Your blood helps us provide essential care, including transfusions of blood, plasma and platelets in the treatment of critical injuries and chronic conditions.
How You Can Help
Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your donation will save lives.
Bloodmobile Now Open
The AdventHealth Bloodmobile will allow us to make blood donation as simple and convenient as possible. On-the-go seven days a week, you’ll find this mobile collection center at employee events, hospital campuses and other locations throughout the community. We hope to see you on board soon!
Methods of Donation
Here’s how your blood is collected depending on the type of donation — and how often you can return to generously donate again.
Whole Blood
A pint of whole blood is drawn and is processed in a laboratory to be separated into components (red blood cells, plasma, and sometimes platelets and cryoprecipitate). It takes just 20 minutes of your time and it can save up to four lives. You can donate every 56 days.
Apheresis
An apheresis blood donation is the process of blood drawn through a special machine to separate it during the donation, so that only certain parts of the blood are collected and the remainder is returned to you.
Double Red Cell
Double red cell donations are performed using an apheresis machine. The donation takes about 35 minutes and allows you to donate two pints of red cells. We do not collect your plasma or platelets. You can donate every 112 days.
Plasma
Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood that transports water and nutrients to your body's tissues. We do not collect your red cells. Sometimes we can collect your plasma and platelets at the same time. You can donate every 28 days.
Platelets
Platelets are the very small cell fragments in your blood that help stop bleeding. Cancer patients receive a lot of platelets due to the effects of chemotherapy. You can donate platelets every 7 days and can give up to 24 times a year. Appointments are recommended for platelet donations.
Blood Donation FAQs
- Where can I find the bloodmobile?
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The AdventHealth Bloodmobile will be collecting at all AdventHealth facilities: hospitals, schools, churches and AdventHealth employee events. We will be running our Bloodmobile seven days a week from 8 am to 4 pm — and we will provide cookies, juice and a gift for each donor.
- What is blood made of?
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Blood is made up of four main components: red blood cells, platelets, plasma and white blood cells. Each whole blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives.
- Why are blood donations needed?
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Blood donations save lives. Some people need blood because of illnesses, infection or other factors that stop the body’s ability to produce its own blood. Blood is also needed after many traumatic injuries to replenish lost blood.
- Who can donate blood?
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To donate blood, you need to be in good health, at least 16 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. The final determination of eligibility is made at the time of donation. If you are under the age of 18, you’ll need a Parental Consent Form to donate.
Click here for the age 16 form. - Where does my blood go?
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The need for blood never stops. The AdventHealth Bloodmobile will send your blood to AdventHealth inpatients and outpatients.
- How do I prepare to donate blood?
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Drink plenty of water prior to donating. Eat a light, healthy meal, preferably iron-rich foods. Avoid fatty foods. Donating on an empty stomach is not recommended.
- What can I expect once I donate on the Bloodmobile?
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Registration: Staff will check you in (if you have not pre-registered) and provide an overview of eligibility requirements and information on the blood donation process.
Donor Health History Questionnaire: Complete the confidential questionnaire that will be provided, answering each question honestly and to the best of your ability.
Our ABO QuickPass: Enables potential donors to access and respond to history and screening questions online prior to their arrival at your blood drive.
Mini Physical Examination: Staff will take your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and determine your iron levels.
- How often can I donate blood?
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Whole blood: You can donate every 56 days for a total of 6 donations a year.
Double red: You can donate every 112 days for a total of 3 donations a year.
Plasma: You can donate every 28 days and can give up to 12 times a year.
Platelets: You can donate platelets every 7 days and can give up to 24 times a year.
- Is donating blood safe?
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Yes, donating blood is safe. You can’t get COVID-19, HIV/AIDS or any other infectious disease from giving blood because we always use new, sterile needles that are discarded after one use. The environment is sanitary and safety precautions are in place.