THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW...

Below you will find some things you can do before, during, and after you donation.

What to expect

1. Registration - You will need you social security number and some form of id
2. Health History - To protect you and the patient who receives your blood, a trained professional will give you a brief health check, ask some questions about your medical history, check you blood pressure, and measure your hemoglobin level. You will read information about behaviors that can put you at risk for AIDS or other infectious diseases. You will be asked to attach one of two bar-coded labels to your donor form to confidentially tell the Red Cross if you've engaged in any behaviors that might make your blood unsafe to transfuse.
3. Donation - While you can expect to be at the blood drive for about an hour, the actual donation usually takes about ten minutes.
4. Refreshments - Here's a chance to replenish your fluids with juice, coffee, or iced tea, snack on doughnuts and pretzels, and chat with fellow donors.

Before and During Your Donation

1. Eat and drink normally before giving blood. Don't donate on an empty stomach.
2. In order to donate, you will need to know the name or purpose or category of any prescription medication you are currently taking or have taken in the past month.
3. It's okay to be a little nervous! Just relax. Tell the nurse it's your first time and ask as many questions as you need to.
4. If needles make you uneasy, don't look! Breathe deeply and close your eyes. There may be a slight sting when the nurse inserts the needle. Otherwise, it's quick and painless.

After Your Donation

1. Drink an extra 4 glasses of non-alcoholic beverages.
2. Avoid strenuous exercise for the next five hours.
3. Keep your bandage on for at least five hours.
4. Pat yourself on the back! You've been a real lifesaver to as many as 5 hospital patients in need!
5. Share your good feelings about giving blood and bring a friend the next time you donate!

Community Service Office
Phone: 215.951.2743
Fax: 215.951.2644
Email: ShoenfeltA@Philau.edu

QUICK LINKS:

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	Office of Information Technology