Many people have questions about donating blood. The top 5 questions and these below cover many issues. If you have a question that is not answered, please call us toll free at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Don't let an unasked question keep you from donating blood!

Q. What does blood actually do?
A. Blood helps keep you healthy. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to all parts of your body. It carries carbon dioxide and other waste products back to the lungs, kidneys, and liver for disposal. It fights against infections and helps heal wounds.

Q. Can I get AIDS from donating blood?
A. Absolutely not. A new, sterile needle is used for each blood donation and then discarded.

Q. What can I do to ensure that my donation experience goes smoothly?
A. You'll want a good night's sleep the night before your donation and have a good breakfast or lunch, with plenty of fluids like milk, juice or soda ahead of time. To ensure an adequate iron level, make sure iron-rich foods are a part of your daily diet. Iron-rich foods include: poultry, fish, greens, dried peas, brown rice, whole grain cereal, dried fruits, and prunes. After your donation, you can go about your normal daily activities, avoiding any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the remainder of the day.

Q. Can I donate blood if I have received a flu shot?
A. Yes. The flu shot has no effects on the safety of a volunteer donor's blood. The flu shot may cause a person to have nonspecific symptoms, such as a fever, headache, and body aches. If a donor has any of these symptoms and is not feeling well the day of his/her donation due to the flu shot or any other reasons, the donor will be deferred from donating until he/she feels better.

Q. Can I give blood if I have a tattoo or a body piercing?
A. If you’ve gotten a piercing in a licensed facility where sterile or single-use equipment was used, you CAN donate. There is no waiting/deferral period. If you have gotten a tattoo, we ask that you wait one year to donate from the date of your tattoo.

Q. Will my blood be tested?
A. Yes. A safe blood supply is the top priority of the American Red Cross Blood Services. The Red Cross is fully committed to providing a reliable and adequate supply of the safest blood possible. Red Cross Blood Services extensively tests each blood donation for infectious diseases, including several forms of hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis.

Q. Will I find out if something is wrong with my blood?
A. Yes. You will be notified confidentially if you have tested positive on any tests we administered.

Q. Will information that I discuss or that the Red Cross finds out about me be shared with anybody?
A. No. Your answers to questions on the health history report, as well as all blood test results, are kept confidential, except where required by law.

Q. Can I find out my blood type?
A. Yes. You will receive a donor card approximately eight weeks after your donation. Your blood type will be noted on that card.

Q. Will I get paid for my blood donation?
A. No. The Red Cross only provides blood to patients that comes from volunteer donors.

Q. How often can I donate?
A. You may donate blood once every 56 days. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit this site to find out where you can donate.