Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Blood donation FAQs

Why should I donate blood?

People undergoing treatment for cancer, accident victims, transplant recipients, and many other patients depend on blood transfusions. Volunteer donors are their only source of blood products. When you donate blood at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, or in the Blood Mobile, you make a life-saving difference for patients in need.

Am I eligible to donate blood?

To donate blood, you must be:

• At least 17 years old*
• Weigh at least 110 pounds
• Be in good general health at the time of your donation

*Individuals who are 16 years old may donate whole blood once per year with signed parental consent. Please bring the completed form to your donation appointment.

You cannot donate if you:

• Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• Had a dental procedure, including a routine cleaning, within 48 hours of donating
• Have traveled to a malaria-risk country recently
• Have felt sick within 72 of your donation appointment
• Have HIV/AIDS or have ever tested positive for HIV
• Used needles to take non-prescribed drugs in the past three months
• Have taken money, drugs, or other payment for sex in the past three months
• Had sexual contact in the past three months with anyone described above
• Have taken oral medication to prevent HIV infection (PrEP, PEP, Truvada, or Descovy) in the past three months
• Received an HIV prevention injection or shot in the past two years
• Have ever taken any medication to treat HIV

What should I expect when donating blood?

The donation itself takes less than 10 minutes, but please allow about one hour for the full process, including:

• Check-in: Show a valid photo ID
• Health screening: Complete a confidential questionnaireabout your medical and travel history to confirm eligibility. A staff member will go over your screening questionnaire with you in an exam room.
• Donation: You will move to a comfortable chair in the main donation area. For your blood donation, a single-use kit is used and disposed of after the collection process.
• Rest and refreshments: Relax for a few minutes and enjoy snacks and drinks before leaving.

Does my blood type matter?

All blood types are needed and welcomed! Certain blood types are in higher demand at certain times.

How much blood is taken, and does it hurt?

We collect one unit of blood. This is equivalent to about one pint of blood. Most adults have 10-12 pints of blood in their bodies. Your body replaces lost fluids within 24 hours and will begin to replace the lost blood cells right away.

Most people only feel a slight pinch from the needle. Many donors report feeling great after donating knowing they helped patients in need!

How should I prepare for my donation, and what should I do after?

To prepare for donating blood, you should:

• Eat a nutritious meal before donating, particularly calcium-rich foods.
• Make sure you are well-hydrated. Try to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water the day before and the day of your donation.
• Bring a valid photo ID to your appointment.

After donating blood, you should:

• Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice) to stay hydrated.
• Eat nutritious meals and snack as needed.

How often can I donate blood?

As long as you are healthy and continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you can safely donate every 56 days.

Can I donate if I have a tattoo?

Yes, as long as your tattoo was done in a state-regulated facility and is completely healed.

Platelet donation FAQs

Why should I donate platelets?

Platelets act as the body’s natural bandages, allowing blood to clot and helping wounds heal. Many patients — especially those with cancer (such as leukemia and lymphoma), bone marrow or stem cell transplants, trauma injuries, and premature babies in the NICU — are at serious risk because their blood doesn’t clot properly. They need platelet transfusions to control their bleeding. Unlike whole blood, platelets have a shelf life of just five days. We rely on regular donations to keep up with patient needs.

Am I eligible to donate platelets?

To donate platelets, you must be:

• At least 17 years old
• 110 pounds or more
• In good health

Other Requirements

• Antibiotics: Be 72 hours symptom-free before donating
• Dental work: Wait 48 hours after cleanings or procedures.
• Aspirin-containing medications (Anacin, Excedrin, Feldene): Avoid for 48 hours before donating.
• Ibuprofen or NSAIDs (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin): Avoid for 24 hours before donating.
• Recent travel outside the USA: If you traveled to a Zika-risk area in the past 28 days, please wait to donate. If you traveled within the last 12 months, contact the Kraft Center with details.
• Living outside the USA: If you lived outside the U.S. for five years or more, contact the donor center.
• Tattoos and piercings: If done in a state-regulated facility and fully healed, you are eligible to donate 3 months following the tattoo appointment.
• Female donors with prior pregnancies: Platelet and plasma donors must test negative for HLA antibodies before donating.

What should I expect when donating platelets?

A platelet donation appointment takes about two hours. Here’s what to expect:

• Check-in: Show a valid photo ID
• Health screening: Complete a confidential questionnaire about your medical and travel history to confirm eligibility. A staff member will go over your screening questionnaire with you in an exam room.
• Mini check-up: We’ll take your temperature and blood pressure to confirm eligibility.
• Donation: You will move to a comfortable chair in the main donation area. A sterile, single-use kit is used for every donation. During the collection process, your platelets are separated, and your red cells and plasma are safely returned to you. The donation itself takes about 90 minutes. You can lay back and relax, read a book or magazine, watch a TV show or movie from our multimedia library, or browse the Internet with free WiFi.
• Rest and refreshments: Relax for a few minutes and enjoy snacks and drinks before leaving.

Does my blood type matter?

If you have blood type AB, your platelets are especially valuable to certain patients. However, all blood types are always needed and welcomed!

How should I prepare for my platelet donation, and what should I do after?

To prepare for your platelet donation, you should:

• Eat a nutritious meal before donating, particularly calcium-rich foods.
• Make sure you are well-hydrated. Try to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water the day before and the day of your donation.
• Bring a valid photo ID to your appointment.

After your donation, you should:

• Drink plenty of fluids (water, juice) to stay hydrated.
• Eat nutritious meals and snack as needed.

Does donating platelets hurt? Will it make me feel sleepy?

Most people only feel a slight pinch from the needle. Because you get your red blood cells back, you’re likely to feel less tired compared to a whole blood donation. Many donors report feeling great after donating knowing they helped patients in need!

How often can I donate platelets?

As long as you are healthy and continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you can safely donate every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Many donors schedule regular appointments every other week.