NCMC Blood Donor Center
(970) 350-6100
Who is eligible to give blood?
Anyone who is at least 18 years of age and is fit and healthy. There is no upper age limit. 17 year olds may be allowed to donate with written permission from a parent or guardian. Permission forms can be picked up or faxed to you from our Blood Donor Center.
Are there any other physical requirements?
You must weigh at least 110 pounds (we can weigh you if you're not sure). Additionally, your temperature must be in the normal range, and your blood pressure and pulse must be within specified ranges. We will check all of these when you arrive.
How often can I give blood?
Every 56 days (eight weeks), or roughly six times per year.
Will you check my identification?
Yes. We are required to verify the identity of our donors prior to allowing them to donate. A photo ID with your date of birth on it (i.e. driver's license) is required by our regulatory agencies at the time of donation. Donors without a driver's license may bring a photo I.D. and other form of identification with their date of birth on it.
Will I be asked hundreds of embarrassing questions before I give blood?
We will absolutely be asking you a number of questions (not actually "hundreds", though!), but for a good reason. Our first priority when you come to our Donor Center is to make sure that giving blood won't affect your health in any way. We also have to make sure that your blood is safe for our patients. Both of these evaluations will determine whether you are eligible to donate. Many of the questions are rather personal, and we understand that they may be embarrassing. Please know that we are required to hold your answers in strictest confidence, and you will be answering the questions in a private room. If you desire, you may discuss any issues or questions with a physician trained in blood collection practices, who is likewise bound to protect the privacy of your answers.
I'm worried about (fill in disease name here). Should I donate to get tested?
A big, resounding NO! Please do not donate just to get tested for AIDS or hepatitis or any other infection! Our current testing for infection is excellent, but there is still a very small chance that an infected person may test negative. To prevent our patients from harm, we ask that you contact your personal physician or the Weld County Department of Public Health for testing if you are worried about HIV.
Should I eat before I come to donate?
Yes! It is absolutely essential that you eat something within two hours before arriving for your blood donation. Not eating really puts you at much greater risk of getting dizzy or fatigued after donation. No fair saving your calories for the cookies after you donate
In college, I sold my blood for $20 per donation! Why don't you pay for my blood?
Contrary to what you may have heard, it is illegal for Donor Centers that are collecting blood that will be given directly to patients to pay their donors. We are completely dependent on volunteer donors, and are not permitted to give you money in return for your blood. We do offer some tasty cookies, though!
My doctor says that I need to donate blood because my blood is too thick. Why is that a problem?
It really isn't a problem, it's just that you fall under different guidelines than regular donors. When your physician tells you that your blood is too thick and you need to have some of it withdrawn, you are no longer considered a volunteer donor (since you are gaining a health benefit from the donation). As such, your blood cannot be used for transfusion to patients under current guidelines. There are additional paperwork requirements, as well. Please call the Donor Center for more information.
Can I get AIDS from donating blood?
There is really no possibility of you getting HIV from donating blood.
Qualification Questions
Can I still donate if I take medications?
Most medications (with a few exceptions) are not harmful to those who will be getting your blood. We will ask you if you're on any kind of medication. Many people who take more than one or two medicines find it easier to write down all of their medicines or actually bring them to the Donor Center. Mostly we ask about them to make sure that you will be safe when we take your blood. For example, if you are taking a medication for seizures, the reason that we would be concerned is because of the risk of bringing on a seizure by taking your blood, not because of any potential harm to the person who receives your blood. For questions about specific medications, please call the Donor Center at (970) 350-6100.
I have started taking aspirin every day to thin my blood and help prevent heart attacks. Will this affect my ability to donate blood?
Aspirin does not affect your ability to give blood. It will, however, prevent you from donating platelets if you are taking it every day.
I'm just getting over a cold. Can I donate?
No, you can't, but the good news is that the deferral is only temporary. We do not allow people who have any cold symptoms (cough, sore throat, stuffy nose) to donate on the slight chance that they could pass on an infection to our patients who receive their blood. If you had a cold, but have been symptom-free for at least three days, you should be OK to donate.
I'm on antibiotics for a skin (or other) infection. Can I donate?
No. Donors who are on antibiotics must wait until they have been off of their medications for at least three days, even if they are feeling well. This is due to the possibility of transmitting bacteria through your blood. If you are on antibiotics to prevent an infection, there might be an exception to this rule. Please call the Donor Center for more information.
I have occasional diarrhea. Can I donate?
Sorry to discuss such a delicate subject, but this is one that we take very seriously! Since the issue of HIV transmission through blood is largely a thing of the past, one of the few major problems that still plagues us is transmission of bacteria through blood. The difficult part of this is that we don't have a good screening test for bacteria in blood, and one of the few signs of infection with the most common bugs that cause us problems is diarrhea. For that reason, we will not allow you to donate if you have had diarrhea in the last 14 days before your visit to the donor room. Please call us at (970) 350-6100 for more questions or information.
I'm pregnant. Can I donate?
Congratulations on your pregnancy! That wonderful little life inside of you needs all of the blood that you have, so we will not take any of it from you. The only possible exceptions to this are:
- If you have an unusually serious risk of bleeding during your delivery, your doctor may request that we take some of your blood for you to use during your delivery
- If your baby requires a transfusion of a blood product while still in your body, your doctor may request that your blood be used. Both of these exceptions are very unusual. Most new moms can return to blood donation six weeks after they deliver.
I just had my ears and tongue pierced. Can I donate?
Ear piercings, provided they are done by a licensed facility, are acceptable. Other body piercings, however, including tongue piercing, are not acceptable, and make you ineligible for blood donation for 12 months from the time of the procedure.
I've just had a tattoo and am upset that I can't donate for 12 months. Why? My tattooist told me that new needles were used.
You are correct that tattooing leads to a 12 month period where you cannot donate blood. Tattoo placement has long been considered a risk for infection, but with the recent explosive growth in people getting tattoos, our regulatory agencies are considering changing this rule. Under our current guidelines, however, you are indeed prevented from donating for 12 months.
Can I donate if I injected myself with steroids 10 years ago?
No. Anyone who uses a needle even once to inject a drug is not permitted to donate blood. This includes steroids, recreational drugs, and any medications not prescribed by a physician. NOTE: Diabetic patients or others who inject themselves as directed by a physician are possible exceptions to this rule. Please call (970) 350-6100 for questions.
I visit an acupuncturist for pain relief. Can I donate?
It depends on the acupuncturist. Nearly all of the acupuncturists in our area have documents on file with the Donor Center certifying that they use only disposable, single-use needles. If you are seeing one of those that we have certified, then you are OK for donation. If not, then the deferral will be twelve months from the last acupuncture session.
Can I donate if I lived in England?
Unfortunately, many perfectly healthy donors are disqualified because of spending significant amounts of time in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe since 1980. This is due to the very small risk of a disease known as "variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease" that is acquired by ingesting certain parts of contaminated beef (you have probably heard the infected cattle described as having "mad cow disease"). This was an issue in the UK in the 80's and early 90's, so if you spent more than a total of three months in the UK between 1980 and 1996, or more than five years in Europe since 1980, you are ineligible to donate blood. There are other rules for military members or dependents previously stationed in Europe. Please call for more questions.
Donation Questions
What will happen when I get there?
In a private screening room, you will be asked a series of questions designed to check the status of your health. A tiny drop of blood will be taken from your fingertip so that we can be sure you have plenty of blood to spare, and we will check your temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. About 450 ml (a little less than a pint) of your blood will then be taken from a vein in your arm. Then, it's on to the juice and cookies!
Does it hurt?
A lot less than you would think! You may experience a quick pinch when the donation starts lasting less than a second. Donor Center staff members are highly trained and experienced, and we do our very best to minimize your discomfort. Most new donors tell us that the pain is much less than they feared!
Will giving blood affect my health?
Your body is an amazing thing! If you are healthy (which we will make sure of before you donate), you should experience no health problems whatsoever as a result of donating blood. In fact, there have been some studies that suggest that regular blood donation may actually be good for you!
I've heard that people sometimes faint when they give blood. Is that true?
Most people (even first time donors and people who are freaked out by needles or the sight of blood) do just great when they donate blood! There are a few people, however, who can get dizzy or even faint either before, during, or after their donation. If this happens while you are in the Donor Center, we will take care of you until you are ready to leave. If it happens after you leave, sit down immediately and put your head between your knees, or if you can, lie down. Try to let someone else know if you're feeling that you might faint. Avoid smoking and alcohol, as both of these can make your lightheadedness worse. Normally, this feeling will pass fairly quickly, but if it persists for more than a few minutes, don't hesitate to call us at (970) 350-6100 to let us know.
Post-Donation Questions
What if I get sick after I donate?
If you develop cold or flu-like symptoms or have any change in your health in the first week following your donation, please call us at (970)350-6100. Depending on how you feel and how long it has been since your donation, we may need to prevent your blood from being given to someone else.
What can I do after giving blood?
Most people can go back to normal activity fairly quickly after they donate blood. Strenuous exercise (such as hard running or serious weightlifting) is probably not a good idea for the first 12-24 hours or so, but otherwise, most people do fine with everyday activities. Please remember to drink lots of fluids before and after you donate (about twice as much as normal). Avoid alcoholic beverages as much as possible for the first 12-24 hours. Eat your regular meals, as well.
Can I smoke after giving blood?
Smoking after blood donation is not a good idea, at least for the first several hours. Smoking causes your blood vessels to dilate, and in combination with the effect of blood donation, can increase your risk of getting seriously dizzy or even faint.
Can I drink alcohol after giving blood?
Alcohol has two effects that may be problematic for donors. The first is that alcohol tends to dilate your blood vessels, and this can put you at increased risk for dizziness or fainting after your donation. Second, alcohol tends to dehydrate you, and after you donate, you need MORE fluid, not less! So, it is really a good idea to avoid alcoholic beverages for at least the first several hours after donation, preferably for at least 12 hours.
Can I go back to work after I donate?
Most people can go back to work the same day after blood donation without any problem. If your job involves strenuous activity, however, it is probably best to wait until you are done with work before you donate.
How is my blood tested?
All blood collected from volunteer donors is tested using state-of-the-art testing methods to screen for a variety of infectious diseases. Currently, we test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (using two separate tests), Hepatitis C Virus (with two separate tests), Hepatitis B Virus (also with two tests), Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus, Syphilis, and West Nile Virus (in season). The performance of the tests is mandated by federal guidelines.
Will I be notified if my blood tests show a problem?
If any of the tests listed above are abnormal, we will notify you in a confidential manner. For several of the tests listed in the previous question, a positive result is reported to state health agencies, by law.
Can I find out my blood type?
Absolutely! You can either ask us when you come in for your next donation, or drop by the Donor Center and ask any time after you donate. Please understand that we cannot give these results over the phone for confidentiality and identification reasons.
Will my blood be used locally?
The North Colorado Blood Donor Center serves primarily North Colorado Medical Center patients in Greeley, and the vast majority of the blood collected in this community will stay here. We occasionally assist other area hospitals with blood supply needs, and occasionally send blood to Bonfils Blood Center in Denver for use in other hospitals in Colorado.
Where can I learn more information about myths associated with blood donation, or about blood in general?
Click here for more information about blood and blood donation myths.