To meet the blood needs of your community, you can donate the following:

Whole blood. This is blood removed from a vein just as it exists within your body.  The Virginia Blood Services laboratory will then separate this blood into its components:  red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Each can be given to patients with differing conditions and diseases. This type of donation takes about 15 minutes.

Learn more about donating blood. 

Red cells. Red cells carry oxygen to organs and tissues and are used to treat anemia and blood loss from surgery or trauma. Sixty three percent of all transfusions are red cells, and Types O+, O- and B+ are frequently in short supply. If you have one of these blood types and you qualify, you may give red cells only, two units at a time, using an automated system that returns other components to your body. There are special requirements to give double red cells, and you can donate every 112 days. So, although a double red cell donation takes a little more time, it reduces the number of trips to a donation site.

If your blood type is O+, O- or B+, your donation is most needed as a double red cell donation.

Learn more about red cell donation.

Platelets. Platelets can also be donated via an automated system that returns other components to your body. Platelets promote clotting, and because their shelf life is very short – just five days – they are constantly needed. Platelets are most frequently used to treat cancer patients after chemotherapy, which reduces the blood’s ability to clot. Your platelet donation when given via automated system will allow you to donate enough for a complete patient dose.

Learn more about platelet donation.

If your blood type is A+, your donation is most needed in the form of platelets, and you can donate every 14 days at these donor centers.

Plasma. Plasma is the watery fluid that transports cells. Plasma transfusions replace lost blood volume, help maintain blood pressure and assist in clotting. Plasma can be separated from a whole blood donation or collected as part of an automated procedure. Plasma can be frozen for up to a year and thawed for transfusion use or in the manufacture of vaccines and other lifesaving pharmaceutical products.

If your blood type is AB, your donation of plasma in conjunction with platelets is most needed.

Please make the most of your blood type and give blood today.

For my own or my loved one’s needs:

How do I give my own blood before my surgery?

While Virginia Blood Services does not promote donating blood for yourself, we will do so with your doctor’s prescription. Your doctor should FAX a prescription to the VBS site most convenient for you, and you should make an appointment for your donation no later than a week before your surgery.

• Before giving your own blood, be sure to eat meals and take your medications on your regular schedule and drink plenty of liquids.
• At your donation appointment, you will be asked a few health questions before your blood is collected. You will be asked to sign a consent form.
• The needle through which your blood is collected will be in your arm between 10 and 15 minutes.
• After your donation, you will be asked to rest and enjoy refreshments.

You will be required to pay a fee for this service, to cover medical screening, blood collection, labeling and storage procedures that are different from and more complex than what is required for the community blood supply. VISA, MasterCard, cash, checks and cashier’s checks will be accepted.

If I have a medical condition that requires that I have blood removed, does VBS provide this service?

Therapeutic phlebotomy is performed at VBS for people with such conditions as hemochromatosis (excess iron levels). If you qualify as a donor, your blood can go to the community blood supply. Regardless, you will not be charged a fee for this service. People with polycythemia who must give blood will be charged a service fee. For more information about this service, call 1 (800) 989-4438.

May I give blood for a relative or friend who is having surgery?

While Virginia Blood Services does not promote donating blood for a specific person, we will do so with the patient’s doctor’s prescription. Donors must meet all the same criteria as community blood donors.

If you are certain that your blood type is compatible with the patient’s blood type, the patient may call the VBS location where you intend to donate and let VBS know they have selected you as a donor. Then you may make an appointment for your donation.

• If you are not certain of your blood type, you must make an appointment for VBS to collect a tube of your blood for testing. A fee is required for this service, and you may call three days later for your results.
• The patient’s doctor should FAX a prescription to the VBS site where you intend to donate, and you should make your donation no later than a week before the patient’s surgery.
• Be sure to eat meals on your regular schedule and drink plenty of liquids before your donation.
• At your donation appointment, you will be asked the same questions every community blood donor is asked.
• The needle through which your blood is collected will be in your arm between 10 and 15 minutes.
• After your donation, you will be asked to rest and enjoy refreshments.

You will be required to pay a fee for this service, to cover medical screening, blood collection, labeling and storage procedures that are different from and more complex than what is required for the community blood supply. Medicare and Medicaid do not reimburse these fees. VISA, MasterCard, cash, checks and cashier’s checks are accepted. Donors wishing to be reimbursed by the patient must discuss this with the patient.