It’s About Life

INFORMATION FOR FIRST-TIME DONOR 

Thanks for your willingness to make a difference by donating blood!  The decision to donate blood is an important one because donors like you are the only source of blood in the High Plains Region.  The need for blood in our area has increased from 26,000-27,000 units per year in the past to 30,000 units this year, meaning new donors like you are invaluable to our community.

Nicknamed “The Greatest Generation,” the most loyal blood donor base has been  the World War II generation.  However, as these donors age, they eventually have to stop giving blood due to medication requirements and their own health status, and they may even start needing blood transfusions for illness and surgeries.  To continue to meet the needs of patients, we must find new donors to commit to the same life-long tradition of giving.  Every generation must do its part in making sure blood is available for you, your loved ones or members of your community who need it. We challenge you to educate 2 non-donors on the need for blood in our community and the blood donation process and encourage them to become first-time blood donors.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Giving blood is safe.  All equipment is sterile, new and used only once.  You cannot “catch anything” by donating blood.
• To avoid light-headedness, you should get a good night’s rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat a low-fat meal or snack prior to donating.  It is also advisable to avoid nicotine during the hour before your donation.
• The blood donation process takes about an hour and includes some paperwork, a health questionnaire, a mini-physical that includes a finger stick to test your iron level.  The actual donation process itself only takes 5-20 minutes.  With needle insertion, you will feel a needle stick, a brief sting and then the phlebotomist will collect approximately 1 pint.  Afterwards, you can enjoy a snack and drink while you fill out your donor survey.
• Most donors feel great after donating!  The average adult body contains 8-12 pints of blood; the body makes more blood constantly and the one pint removed will be replaced rapidly.  Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcohol for rest of the day.  We also suggest avoiding nicotine for 30 minutes after donating.  These steps should prevent light-headedness.  You should also avoid lifting or extreme physical exertion for 24 hours.
• One donation can help save up to 2 lives. There aren’t many opportunities to make such an impact on so many people in such a short amount of time.
• Blood is perishable and must constantly be replenished.  Blood donors help ensure that blood will be available when you or your loved ones need it.

Please make sure to inform the Coffee Memorial Staff when you donate for the first time.  It’s our job to make your first-time donor experience a comfortable one.