The Need       Who Can Donate       Safety & Testing

People who have spent a total of six months or more in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 1996 are not eligible to donate blood.

Blood can be given every 56 days, or every eight weeks. Plasma can be given every four weeks. Platelets can be given 24 times a year.

America's Blood Centers collect blood only from volunteer blood donors.

"This is my third time giving blood. I started when I was 16 with my parent's permission. The reason I give blood is because it's like a way I can help somebody free. I mean, I don't have to give them money, just help them by giving them my blood. I really wanted to help people and human life is really of value to me."

		"I just figured that because I work out a lot and play all the different sports that I do, my blood is really healthy. So I might as well do something nice for people that I'd want them to do for me if I ever needed blood."
		"It's such an easy thing to do. I mean, it's not painful. It doesn't take a long time. It's not a big sacrifice. At the same time, it can help a lot of people. It just seems it's the right thing to do."
		"I've been living in the U.S. for five years now, and I just wanted to do something good for the community."
		"It's like a moral thing. Wanting to help someone else. I'll probably do it again. I mean, you can donate blood every 56 days, so that's when I'll do it again. I know my donation will help save someone's life and that's really important to me"
		"I just needed a way to show myself that I could help someone out. It's not painful like I thought it would be. They say you're going to feel a slight poke and you feel a slight poke and then sit here for about five minutes."
		At 78, Leah is a dedicated regular blood donor. Over the years, she has donated 110 pints of blood! "The blood center knows they can count on me"
		As a mother of two young children, Sue takes them with her when she donates blood. "They see me lie down and give blood and they know I'm giving a very big gift. They know somebody out there needs my blood and I'm healthy enough to give it."