Before Your Donation
- Be sure to eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of fluids before you donate.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before your donation.
- On the day of your donation, you can use the CFL Express Pass to complete your health history interview from your home or office. This is optional, but it will help speed up your donation! CFL Express Pass is available on our Digital Donor app or by logging in to your account. Don't forget to print your ticket if completing it through our website.
- If it's your first time donating, watch the below video for a walkthrough of the donation process.
Health History
- A Blood Center staff member will welcome you into a screening booth, where you'll present your photo ID and provide basic information about yourself. If you used the CFL Express Pass, present your ticket.
- In the private booth, you’ll answer questions about your past and present health on a computer; this information is kept confidential.
- When you are finished, the screener will return and administer a mini-health exam (temperature, blood pressure, heart rate).
- Your hemoglobin level will be determined.
Donation
- A team member will escort you to a donation bed, where your arm will be examined and cleaned with a wet scrub. We’ll make sure you’re comfy, with a personal TV and blankets available upon request.
- Now your donation begins. Once the needle is in place, it usually takes less than 10 minutes to give a whole blood unit. If you are giving an automated donation—like platelets, plasma or double red cells—our team will let you know how long the procedure should take.
- During your donation, use Applied Muscle Tension, alternately contracting and relaxing muscle groups in the body. One method is to tighten the muscles of the legs and buttocks for about five seconds, relax for five to 10 seconds and repeat. Another method is to squeeze a ball in your hand.
- Once your donation is complete, the needle will be removed, and we will apply a bandage.
After Donation
- Sit and have a snack and a drink, relaxing for at least 15 minutes.
- Schedule your next donation.
- As long as you're feeling well (not lightheaded or dizzy), go out and enjoy your day. Be proud that you've helped save a life!
- Drink additional water, keep the bandage in place for four to six hours, and avoid strenuous physical activity for the remainder of the day. If you begin to feel lightheaded or dizzy, lie down until feeling better.
- The following day, log in to your Digital Donor account to view your health results and the points you've earned for the Donor Rewards Store!
Orsense FAQ:
The OrSense NBM-200 is a non-invasive medical device that measures pre-donation hemoglobin levels. The device was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in blood centers and/or for noninvasive patient monitoring. The blood center performed their independent study and validation by sampling donor’s hemoglobin using the OrSense device and comparing the result with the clinical test of their venous sample (hemoglobin test using the blood from their test tube samples). Studies found the OrSense highly accurate.
In an effort to elevate our donor satisfaction, the blood center decided to implement a non-invasive measurement to determine donor eligibility. Hemoglobin and hematocrit are red blood cell measurements used to determine donor eligibility. Both methods are commonly used interchangeably in medical offices. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your organs. Hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume composed of red blood cells. You can calculate your hematocrit by multiplying your hemoglobin by 3. For example: 13.0 g/dl (Hemoglobin) x 3= 39% Hematocrit.
A pneumatic finger sensor cuff is placed on the thumb or index finger, and the cuff temporarily occludes blood flow to the measurement site. A multi-wavelength light source and a highly sensitive detector are used to obtain the hemoglobin reading.
OrSense NBM-200 will feel like a mini blood pressure cuff on your thumb or index finger. The test is painless and comfortable.
Besides hemoglobin, the OrSense NBM-200 has the capability to measure pulse. The pulse feature will be implemented at a later date.
If your initial OrSense NBM-200 test doesn't show the needed levels, you will be eligible for a retest. A deferral of 24 hours will be applied if the second test also does not show the required hemoglobin levels.
Continue to follow the “Iron Information” recommendations on our website to help boost your iron prior to your donation. During the hemoglobin measurement, minimize movement and warm your hands to ensure proper blood flow. Keep your arm resting comfortably on the table, and sit straight up with feet flat on the floor. These recommendations are due to the sensitivity of the device which could prolong the test or result in an error.
No. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center reviewed donor deferral data which shows no difference in donor deferrals when compared to the hematocrit method. The blood center continuously reviews best practices and procedures to ensure accurate donor eligibility while maintaining an adequate supply of blood and blood components for our community.
Is it your first time donating?