Commit for Life - Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center

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Frequently Asked Questions
In order to better serve you, we've compiled a list of questions we receive here at The Blood Center. This list is meant to help you, the donor. If you cannot find an answer to a specific question, please feel free to call 1 (888) 482-5663.

General Questions

How do I make an appointment to donate blood?
If this is your first time donating with us, please call the Neighborhood Donor Center nearest you to schedule your appointment. If you have donated with us before, you can schedule your appointment by logging on to Digital Donor.

What do I need to know about the Advance Wellness Check?
To obtain accurate lipid-profile results, the blood sample should be taken when the individual has been fasting (no food or drink for 12 hours). Therefore, you will not be able to have a sample drawn for this testing at the same time you donate blood. Samples will be drawn at one of our fixed-site facilities. To schedule an Advanced Wellness Check, please contact the office of Operations at (713) 791-6260 or 1 (800) 791-1666.
Details about the Wellness/Advance Wellness Check >>

What is considered normal and high blood pressure?
Blood pressure levels available here.

How can I reach the the next Commit for Life level?
Commit for Life donors reach a new membership level with every donation. If you donated twice last year to become a bronze-level donor, donate three times this year to be a silver-level donor or four times to become a gold-level donor! Every donation helps save up to three lives!

How do I get to the Commit for Life online store?
To redeem points, you will access the store by logging on Digital Donor. You'll need your Donor-ID number to log onto Digital Donor. You can find that number on your donor card or by calling (713) 791-6260.
To view the items in the store click here.

To learn how the point system works, click here.

Who can donate?
All potential donors must be at least 17 years old to donate, 16 with parental consent. Learn more..

You must bring a valid picture ID prior to donation.
Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds. 16 year old donors must weigh 122 pounds. Learn more..
Potential donors must be in general good health, without any cold or flu symptoms.
Learn more about donating blood >>

Why should I give blood?
Medical technology has provided many life-saving discoveries over the years, but there is still no substitute for blood. In a medical emergency, often the most important element is the availability of blood. Blood donations can help a variety of individuals: trauma victims, surgery patients, premature babies, individuals with anemia, cancer patients and many more.

What benefits are available for individuals who donate blood?
In addition to helping save up to three lives, blood donors receive many benefits For example; all donors receive a mini-physical exam at the time of their donation. This includes the determination of hemoglobin levels (as sign of anemia), blood pressure, temperature and various blood screening tests. After each donation, donors will receive their blood type and cholesterol level. Additionally, individuals who Commit for Life receive points that can be redeemed for great items in the Commit for Life store, invitations to specialty recognition events and more.

Can you explain the blood donation process?
Donating blood takes less than one hour from the time you arrive until you are ready to leave. First you complete a registration form with basic information such as your name, address and birthdate. You also will present identification that shows your name and your photo or signature. Then, one of our medical professionals will check your blood pressure, temperature and hemoglobin level (iron); take a look at your arm to make sure it is clear of any signs of infection; and ask you confidential questions about your health to ensure that you are eligible to donate blood that day. The actual whole blood donation takes between five and 10 minutes. Afterwards, you will be given juice and light snacks to replenish lost fluids during donation.

Are there any special instructions I should follow before donating whole blood?
You should eat a good meal that includes iron-rich foods – like red meat; green, leafy vegetables; and iron-fortified cereals – and drink plenty of fluids one to two hours before donating blood.

How much blood is taken?
A unit (about one pint) of blood is drawn. This procedure takes about five to 10 minutes. The average person has between 10 and 12 pints of blood in their body. It takes about one month to replace the blood that is donated.

How often can I donate?
Giving whole blood requires a waiting period of 56 days between donations. If you donate plasma (your red cells are returned to you), you may donate every 28 days. If you donate platelets (your red cells and most of your plasma are returned to you), you may donate every two days, with a maximum of two times per week and 24 times per year.

If you are type A blood you would make a terrific platelet donor! It takes a little more time, but it helps people who are quite ill.

Remember, type AB blood makes good plasma donors, and type O and B blood make good red cell or whole blood donors.

If you donate double red cells (most of your plasma is returned to you), you must wait 112 days before your next donation. Double red cell donors must meet certain weight, height and hemoglobin (iron) requirements.

How long does it take?
The entire donation process, from registration to post-donation refreshments, takes just under one hour. The actual donation takes 5 to 10 minutes. We encourage donors to make and honor appointments to avoid long delays. To make a donation, visit Where to Donate or Digital Donor.

How will I feel after I donate?
Most people feel fine after donating blood. A unit of blood (500 ml) is less than a pint, and the average adult body contains 10 to 12 pints of blood. Your body makes new blood constantly, and the fluid you give will be replaced within hours. Eating a full meal within four hours before donating will help you feel strong after donating. Drinking water and juices before and after donating also helps your body replenish lost fluids. You should avoid alcohol before and after donating. Strenuous activity should be avoided for 12 hours after donating. If you have a hazardous or strenuous job, you should donate at the end of your work shift. Smokers should refrain from smoking 30 minutes after donating.

How long will it take to replenish the pint of blood I donate?
Your body will replace the blood volume (plasma) within 48 hours. It will take four to eight weeks for your body to completely replace the red blood cells you donated. The average adult has eight to 12 pints of blood. You will not notice any physical changes related to the pint you donated.

What happens to my blood after I donate?
Your blood will be tested for various infectious agents, including HIV and hepatitis. It will then be processed into components (red cells, platelets, plasma). After processing, red cells can be stored for 42 days, platelets can be stored for five days and plasma can be frozen for one year. Your single unit of blood can help save the lives of up to three separate patients.

How often can I give whole blood?
You can donate whole blood every 56 days; however, all we ask is for individuals to Commit for Life and donate once every quarter. It takes three easy steps to Commit for Life:

Donate at least once every quarter;
Allow The Blood Center to contact you; and
Spread the word, encouraging family and friends to donate

How much blood is needed in the 25-county, Texas Gulf Coast region that Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center serves each day?
At least 800 donations are needed daily to save patients’ lives.

Can I donate blood for myself?
Yes. It is called an autologous donation. Autologous (au-tol-o-gous) blood transfusion is a procedure in which you are transfused with blood that you have donated only for yourself. This type of donation only can be conducted with written permission from your physician. A written order must be faxed to the Autologous and Directed Program of The Blood Center. Your physician can obtain a "Request for Autologous/Directed Donation" form by calling (713) 791-6608 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or you may download it here, and take to your physician to complete.

Is it safe to receive blood?
Yes. The blood supply is now safer than ever. Every potential donor undergoes a thorough screening by a trained professional, and every unit undergoes many tests to ensure safety.

Which patients use what components?
Every whole blood donation can help save up to three lives. This is accomplished because the donation is separated into three separate components:

Red blood cells can be used to help accident victims, surgical patients and people with anemia.
Platelets can be used to treat leukemia and cancer patients.
Plasma is effective in treating patients suffering from burns or shock.

Questions About 16 Year-old Donor Eligibility

I heard that 16-year-olds can now donate blood. Is that true?
Yes. Individuals who are 16 years old and 122 pounds (with parental consent), or at least 17 years old and 110 pounds, and are in general good health can donate blood. If your son or daughter is 16 years old and has expressed interest in donating blood, but was not old enough, now could be their opportunity. By becoming a blood donor your son or daughter is showing great civic responsibility, maturity and a sense of community pride. Through their blood donation, your son or daughter has the potential to save up to three lives!

Do other states allow 16-year-olds to donate blood?
Five other states (California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois and Iowa) have permitted blood donations from 16-year-old donors for many years. Washington, for example, has offered 16-year-olds the opportunity to donate for more than 30 years.

What form of identification (ID) is needed to donate?
The following forms of ID will be accepted:

Driver’s license
State-issued ID card
Student identification card
Passport, Visa or green card
Personal verification of donor identity

Questions About Autologous and Directed Donations

Will I be charged for directed donations if the donors are not compatible?
If your donors are not compatible there is no charge. But if we are not provided with the patient’s blood type when we draw the unit, then we send every donation to the hospital. After the hospital cross-match is done and it is concluded that the donation is incompatible, then there is only the direct fee of $26.

Why does my blood expire sooner if I am a blood relative?
If you are a blood relative, your donation will have to be irradiated to avoid graft vs. host disease (donor’s cells attack the patient’s tissues). In this instance, the 42-day expiration for red blood cells is then reduced to 28 days.

Why do I have to pay for my own blood?
The charges assessed with an autologous donation are to recover costs for testing, processing and service fees.

Do you ship blood internationally?
No, clearing the blood units through customs is very difficult. We cannot regulate the blood temperature once it leaves The Blood Center.

Why do I need doctor's orders before donating autologous or directed units?
We must have a doctor's request in order to make sure we have all the proper information for the patient (what components are needed, social security numbers, date of birth, doctor’s name, fax and phone number, name of hospital, etc.). We also make sure the doctor has authorized the patient to give an autologous donation.

If I'm having surgery out of town, can I donate here and have it shipped? And at what cost?
Yes, you may donate with a physician's request at any of our local Neighborhood Donor Centers. But all units must be prepaid before any donations are made. This fee varies depending on how many units your physician wants. It includes testing and processing fees, autologous and/or directed fees, and shipping and handling.

Why can't I know the names of or other information about my direct donors?
All information is kept strictly confidential in accordance to HIPAA (a set of rules designed to protect patients and their health information).

What is HBsAG?
HBsAg stands for hepatitis B Surface Antigen. This test identifies hepatitis B antigens and antibodies, which help determine if a person is infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

If I don't use my autologous donation, why can't it be released for someone else?
Autologous donations are not drawn under the same criteria as a regular whole blood unit. Some physicians will allow autologous donors to donate who otherwise would not qualify to donate for the general public. Therefore, these units cannot be released for someone else to use.

Health Related Questions

What is vCJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease)?
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) is a fatal degenerative disease affecting the nervous system that is found almost exclusively in the United Kingdom. It has been linked to another disease often referred to as "Mad Cow Disease." The risk of vCJD is unknown, however, only two cases associated with blood transfusion have been detected. Neither was in the United States. Learn more about vCJD.

Current FDA guidelines prevent you from donating blood if you have spent an extended amount of time in the United Kingdom and Europe. The guidelines are:

if you traveled or lived in the United Kingdom for a total time of three months or more between 1980 and 1996, you are not eligible to donate blood.
If you have traveled or lived for a total of five years or more in any other European (however, does not include Russia) country since 1980 to the present, you are not eligible to donate.
If your were associated with the military and stationed on a military base in Europe for more than six months between 1980 and 1990 (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands & the United Kingdom) or for six months or more between 1980 and 1996 (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain & Turkey), you are not eligible to donate blood.

I've traveled outside the U.S. Can I donate?
Click here for a list of location restrictions.

I've been immunized with FluMist. Will I be deferred from donating?
You will not be deferred.

What can I eat to raise my iron levels?
Sources of Iron:
Best
Red meat
Liver
Poultry
Egg yolk

Other good sources
Cereals, breads
Dark green leafy vegetables
Dried beans - kidney, pinto, soy
Dark molasses
Dried fruits (raisins, apricots, peaches)

I'm taking several different medications. Do you have a list of Generic Medications I can look at to see if I'm eligible to donate?

Accutane	Cannot donate or must wait one month from last dose
Allergy medication	You can donate
Anxiety medication	You can donate
Antibiotics	You can donate two days after your last dose
Antibiotics for acne or preventative for urinary track infection/gum disease	You can donate
Anticonvulsant (no seizures for 1 year)	You can donate
Antidepressants	You can donate
Analgesics - Aspirin, Pain Relievers	You can donate
Antacids - (i.e. Tums, Prilosec)	You can donate
Aspirin	You can donate
Asthma medication (no attack requiring ER visit in past 30 days)	You can donate
Anti-Fungal for localized skin/nails/vagina	You can donate
Anti-Histamine (no or mild symptoms)	You can donate
Avodart	Cannot donate or must wait six months from last dose
Birth control pills	You can donate
Blood thinners (Coumadin)	You cannot donate if taken on a regular basis
Cholesterol medication	You can donate
Coumadin	Cannot donate or must wait one month from last dose
Decongestant (no symptoms)	You can donate
Diet pill	You can donate
Diuretic	You can donate unless taking it for Congestive Heart Failure, then Indefinite Deferral
Female hormones	You can donate
Growth hormones before 1985	You cannot donate
Guardasil (Human Papilloma Virus)	You can donate
Female hormones	You can donate
Insulin (U.S. licensed)	You can donate
Insulin (beef/bovine obtained outside of the U.S.)	Cannot donate at any time
Isoretinoin (Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis or Sotret)	Cannot donate or must wait one month from last dose
Plavix (Clopidogrel)	Can donate whole blood or plasma; wait fourteen days after last dose to donate platelets
Propecia	Cannot donate or must wait one month from last dose
Proscar	Cannot donate or must wait one month from last dose
Sleeping pill	You can donate
Soriatane (acitretin)	Cannot donate or must wait three years from last dose
Steroids (oral)	You can donate
Steroids (topical)	You can donate
Tegison (etretinate)	Cannot donate at any time
Ticlid (Ticlopidine)	You can donate whole blood or plasma; wait fourteen days after last dose to donate platelets
Tranquilizers	You can donate
Thyroid medication	You can donate
Unlicensed drug (research study)	You must wait 30 days from your last dose before you can donate.
Vitamins/ Herbal Supplements	You can donate

Do you have a list of common ailments and illnesses?

Diabetes - feeling well and healthy	You can donate
Diabetes - symptomatic	You must wait 30 days after symptoms disappear before you can donate
Diarrhea	You must wait two days after symptoms disappear before you can donate.
Eczema - no infected lesions	You can donate
Headache - Severe Migraine	You can donate one day after your headache disappears
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (having abdominal discomfort)	You must wait two days to donate after symptoms disappear
Mononucleosis	You must wait six weeks after symptoms disappear before you can donate
Psoriasis	You can donate
Psoriasis - taking Acitretin, Soritane or Tegison	You cannot donate
Pneumonia	You must wait 30 days after you get well before you can donate
Poison Ivy (no lesions in venipuncture area)	You can donate
Ringworm (not in venipuncture area)	You can donate
Stroke related to heart or embolism	You can donate if it is more than six months since the stroke and your condition is stable.
Stroke related to head injury	You can donate if it is more than six months since the stroke and your condition is stable.
Thyroid - Hypo/Hyper - controlled with medication	You can donate
Ulcerative Colitis - no medication taken	You can donate
Ulcerative Colitis - taking Asacol	You can donate
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)	You must wait two days after treatment is finished to donate

What if I've got a tattoo or body piercing?

Ear Piercing- Sterile Gun:
- Applied by licensed facility in the state of Texas: One week from date of application
- Applied by self, unlicensed individual or a facility outside the state of Texas: One year from date of application.
All Other Body Parts:
- Applied by licensed facility in the state of Texas: One week from date of application
- Applied by self, unlicensed individual or a facility outside the state of Texas: One year from date of application.
Acupuncture - Licensed Practitioner:
- Applied by licensed facility in the state of Texas: One week from date of application
- Applied by self, unlicensed individual or a facility outside the state of Texas: One year from date of application.
Tattoo:
- Applied by licensed facility in the state of Texas: One week from date of application
- Applied by self, unlicensed individual or a facility outside the state of Texas: One year from date of application.

I recently had a shot/vaccination, can I donate?

Allergy shot	You can donate
Botox injection	You must wait two days before you can donate
Flu shot	You can donate
Gamma Globulin – HBIG (exposure to hepatitis)	You must wait one year before you can donate
Havrix (hepatitis A vaccine)	You can donate
Heptavax (hepatitis B vaccine)	You must wait one day before you can donate
Meningitis	You can donate
Novocaine	You can donate
Polio	You can donate
Rabies (animal bite)	You can donate
Routine TB test	You can donate
Steroid injection (joint)	You can donate
Steroid injection (intramuscular)	You must wait three days after the shot before you can donate
TB test for exposure	You must wait three days or until the test has been read to donate
Tetanus Booster	You can donate

AVODART (dutasteride) was approved on Oct. 10, 2002, and became available for prescription in December of 2002. Like Proscar (finasteride), it is for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in men. However, it is considerably more potent. You must wait 6 months after your last dose before you can donate.

I recently had surgery or a skin graft, can I donate?

Major surgery performed in hospital/surgery clinic (no blood used)	You can donate if you have resumed normal activities
Major surgery performed in hospital/surgery clinic - blood transfusion received	You must wait one year after surgery to donate - even if autologous blood was used
Minor surgery performed in MD office	You must wait one week to donate
Lasik/cataract surgery	You must wait one week to donate
Grafts - Autologous	You must wait six weeks after the graft to donate
Graft - Allogeneic	You must wait one year after the graft to donate
BIO-OSS dental graft	You must wait six weeks after the graft to donate
OASIS non-cellular graft	You must wait six weeks after the graft to donate
Heart valve graft (porcine)	You must wait six months after the graft to donate
Transplant - Solid Organ from Animal source	You cannot donate

I have a circulation or heart - related disorder, can I donate?

High blood pressure (controlled)	You can donate
All heart conditions/surgery/angioplasty and heart attacks that have associated chest pain	Please contact Medical Services: (713) 791-6612
Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) - (Stable - no chest pain in past six months)	You can donate
Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) - (Unstable or chest pains within the past six months)	Must have a physician approval letter to donate
Arrhythmia - no pain/no medication or controlled by medication	You can donate

I just came from the dentist, can I still donate?

No deferral unless on antibiotics, then can donate 2 days after last dose.

Common questions from men:

My PSA is elevated, but I don't know why. Can I donate?
- Please contact our Medical Services Department at (713) 791-6612.
My PSA is elevated due to benign prostate hyperplasia. Can I donate?

Yes, you may donate today, unless you are taking Avodart (dutasteride) or Proscar (finasteride).

My PSA is elevated and I'm taking Proscar. Can I donate?

You may donate one month after your last dosage.

I'm taking Propecia for baldness. Can I donate?

You may donate one month after your last dose.

If I have had sexual contact with another male, even once, from 1977 to the present, can I donate?

You cannot donate.

Common questions from women:

I am pregnant, can I donate?
- You cannot donate until six weeks after giving birth.
I recently had an abortion, can I donate?

You are eligible to donate six weeks after the procedure.

I recently had a miscarriage, can I donate?

You are eligible to donate six weeks after the miscarriage.

I am going through Menopause or am having Hormone Replacement Therapy. Can I donate?

Yes, you may donate.

I'm taking birth control pills, can I donate?

Yes, you may donate.

I'm taking fertility drugs, can I donate?

Yes, you may donate.

I've just had a routine mammogram. Can I donate?

Yes, you may donate.

I've just had a mammogram for CA Dx. Can I donate?

You may donate one week after your mammogram.

I have been given RhoGam/RhIg, can I donate?

You may donate in 12 weeks.

I have a vaginal yeast infection. Can I donate?

Yes, you can donate.

In the past 12 months I have had sexual contact with a male who has had sexual contact with another male or used IV drugs. Can I donate?
- You are eligible to donate after one year.

Can I donate if I have a sexually transmitted disease?
If you have genital herpes, chlamydia or venereal warts (human papillomavirus), but no active lesions, you can donate. If you have syphilis or gonorrhea you must wait one year after you complete your treatments and have negative test results.

I've made contact with someone who has hepatitis, does this mean I can't donate blood?
If you are hospital personnel or have been exposed via casual contact, you can donate. If your contact has come from a member of your household (sexual contact as well), and that person is asymptomatic and not undergoing treatment, you can donate. If that person is undergoing treatment or is symptomatic, you must wait one year before you can donate blood.

I don't have Sickle Cell Anemia, but I carry the trait. Can I still donate?
You can donate blood if you have sickle cell trait. However, all blood is currently filtered to help prevent reactions in the recipient. Blood with sickle cell trait does not filter well. We encourage donors with sickle cell trait to donate plasma or platelet apheresis. These two types do not get filtered

What is CMV?
A common viral pathogen found in all population groups. Nearly all CMV– infected people are asymtomatic. It causes few problems for healthy individuals. But in newborns and immunocompromised individuals, it may produce a variety of disease processes.

Did You Know...

Did you know that less than 5 percent of the community actually donates blood?