Q: How often can I give?
- Donors are eligible to give every 56 days.
Q. How old must I be/are there any age restrictions?
- In Missouri, you must be 17 yeas of age (16 in Illinois with parental permission). There is no age limit. Rather, the general health of the potential donor is the prime consideration.
Q: I recently traveled outside the U.S. - does this make a difference; am I still eligible to donate?
- Having traveled will not prevent you from donating but WHERE you traveled may. This will be reviewed and evaluated prior to donation. Cumulative time spent in the United Kingdom equaling three months or more since 1980 will prevent you from giving (mad cow disease) as will cumulative time spent in most of Europe (including the United Kingdom) equaling six months or more since 1980. The mad cow disease issue is but one example of the complexities surrounding travel. The Red Cross will screen your travel history prior to donation.
Q: Is it safe to give blood?
- You cannot contract an infectious disease, including AIDS by donating blood. The needles and supplies are sterile, used only once and then safely discarded, so there is no chance of infection.
After a donation, it takes just a few hours for the body to replace the volume of plasma lost. Platelets are restored in a few days, and the body compensates by increasing red cell production until normal levels return in a few weeks.
Q: How long will it take?
- The blood donation itself takes about 15-20 minutes. The whole process from start to finish takes about one hour, including 10 minutes in the canteen where you will be served refreshments.
Q: Is child care available?
- At Incarnate Word, we have a special table set up for children where refreshments are served and a large screen TV plays children's movies. A clown often shows up for face painting and balloon art.
Q: Where is the blood drive held?
- The blood drive is held in the church hall.
Q: What are the hours?
- The hours are from 7 AM until 1 PM on designated Saturdays.
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