What to Expect When Donating Blood

Registration

You will first be asked for a form of identification each time you donate. You’ll provide your name, date of birth and social security number.

Health History

A trained Red Cross staff member will then conduct a mini-physical examination checking your temperature, your blood pressure and pulse, and a drop of your blood to be sure you have enough red blood cells to donate safely. The staff member will also ask about your past and present health and lifestyle, and we will answer any questions you may have. This interview is private and confidential.

Most people who are 17 or older, and who weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood, but depending on your answers, you may be deferred from donating, either temporarily or permanently.

If you are temporarily deferred from giving blood, please don’t give up! We hope you will return to donate blood once your deferral period is over.

Donation

Before the donation, we will cleanse an area of the arm you will be using to donate. All of the supplies, including the needle, are sterile and are used only once — for you.

At the start of the donation, you may notice a brief “sting” from the needle, but then you’ll rest comfortably. The donation usually takes about 10 minutes, and you will have given about a pint of blood when finished. Your body will replace the plasma (liquid part) in hours and the cells in a few weeks.

When you are finished, you will be given a form with post-donation instructions and a number to call if you decide after you leave that your blood may not be safe to give to another person.

Canteen

It’s that easy. Before you head home, you’ll relax for a few minutes in our refreshment area and enjoy a drink and some snacks.

Visit the Web site of the National American Red Cross to view an on-line presentation.

People seldom experience discomfort after donating. However, if you feel light-headed, lie down until the feeling passes. If some bleeding occurs after removal of the bandage, apply pressure to the site and raise your arm for three to five minutes. If bruising or bleeding appears under the skin, apply a cold pack periodically to the bruised area during the first 24 hours, then warm, moist heat intermittently.

For a list of frequently asked questions about donating blood please click here

If you have any questions concerning your donation or experience any unexpected problems, please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-843-2949, extension 7066.

Last month, Cliff Numark, was named as the new chief executive officer of the Southern California Blood Region. Numark is a highly effective and successful leader with demonstrated organizational and management skills. He joined the Southern California Region in 2003 as the director of donor recruitment and has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to improve the region’s engagement with donors, sponsors, and partners to boost collections.

His current team of more than 270 dedicated professionals supports the region’s focus on whole blood and platelet donor recruitment, community affairs, marketing, volunteer outreach, and telerecruitment. Numark is counted among the region’s key leaders and he is part of the management team that helped the Southern California Region earn the honor of 2009 Breakthrough Region of the Year.

In his new role, Numark will oversee collections of more than 320,000 whole blood units per year and more than 44,000 platelet products to serve the needs of more than 150 hospitals in a highly competitive urban market of more than 17 million people. The region operates 11 fixed sites and conducts 30 mobile blood drives per day, and the headquarters houses more than 1,300 regional, divisional, and national team members.

The Southern California Region faces many challenges, including a competitive business environment in one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas. We look forward to the Southern California Region’s continued success with the leadership of Cliff and his management team. I know we can count on all team members of the Southern California Region to continue its momentum and meet future challenges.

First Name

Last Name

Email

Company

City

State/Province

Yes. Please assign me to the presentation listed:

Participants in the 2009 KLOS Blood Drive will receive:

• A Limited Edition Commemorative 2009 KLOS Blood Drive T-shirt
• A coupon for a FREE Skillet Queso Appetizer from Chili’s
• $5 Gift Certificate from Daphne’s Greek Café

A concert voucher provided by Live Nation to one concert at the San Manuel Amphitheatre in San Bernardino – Concert tickets are limited and blood donors with scheduled appointments will receive priority on concert preferences.

Concert Choices for the 2009 KLOS Blood Drive include:

• Crue Fest 2 on Friday, July 31 at 5:00 p.m.
• Journey on Saturday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m.
• Def Leppard/Poison/Cheap Trick on Sunday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m.

In 1981, 95.5 KLOS organized its first American Red Cross Blood Drive at Los Angeles High School, collecting 250 pints of blood. Twenty-eight years later, the KLOS Blood Drive has grown from a single-site, single-day event to a multi-site, multi-day event, making it one of the largest media-sponsored blood drives in the country. With the help of thousands of Southern California blood donors, the KLOS Blood Drive has collected over 105,000 units of blood since 1981 for patients who needed blood and blood products to survive accidents, heart transplants, premature births and many other ailments. This summer, the Red Cross and KLOS anticipate a phenomenal public turnout to break past records for the most blood collected.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to help save a life and attend one of Southern California’s best Classic Rock Concerts. Tickets are limited and those wishing to participate in the 28th Annual KLOS Blood Drive are strongly encouraged to make an appointment to donate blood at one of the 19 official locations. To schedule an appointment, visit GiveLife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1.800.448.3543). For Spanish, please call 1.866.POR.VIDA