The donation process includes registration, a brief medical screening, the blood collection, and time for refreshments in the canteen. For whole blood the entire donation process usually takes less than one hour and the blood collection segment is usually about ten minutes. For apheresis (platelet) collections the entire process usually lasts less than two hours.

Whole blood donations are approximately one pint. Apheresis donations also take about a pint of fluid; both weigh approximately one pound.

Whole blood donors may give once every fifty-six days in order to allow plenty of time to replenish their red cells. Apheresis (platelet) donors can donate more frequently, as much as each week up to twenty four times per year, because the platelet and plasma components are replaced in the body more quickly than red cells. Platelets will return to normal levels within a few hours of donating. Plasma, the watery substance of your blood, takes a couple of days. The red blood cells, the oxygen carrying cells, can take two weeks or longer to fully return to normal.

As a general rule, women have approximately ten pints and men have approximately twelve pints of blood.

The minimum age to be able to donate is between seventeen and sixty

Type O negative, is the “universal donor” and can give blood to any other blood type. Type AB positive, which, is the “universal recipient” and can receive blood from any other blood type.

Blood donations are tested for a variety of diseases, but it’s not uncommon for a donation to be readied for transfusion within twenty-four hours. Whole blood is processed into components (red cells, platelets, plasma). After processing, the red cells can be stored for forty-two days. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to twelve months and platelets (from whole blood or by apheresis) expire after five days.

To ensure the safest possible blood supply, all screening questions must be asked of all donors at each donation.

Donors may be deferred from donating due to a low iron level. This requirement is for the safety of the donor to ensure that after donation, the donor's iron level will still be within the normal range for a healthy adult. A deferral for low iron does not mean a donor is anemic because these levels can fluctuate daily. Eating foods high in iron (e.g. red meat, dark green vegetables, and raisins) or taking a multivitamin with iron may help increase your iron level.

Although no problems have been reported, the safety of donating blood during or shortly after pregnancy has not been fully established. There may be medical risks to mother and baby if a blood donation is made while pregnant or shortly after pregnancy.

CDP is fully committed to remaining a volunteer donor supported organization and does not pay for blood donations except for platelets donors because as studies have shown that volunteer donors provide a safer blood supply.

Due to the risk of exposure to blood and needles in the collection area and the need for complete confidentiality during screening, children must remain in the canteen or waiting areas. We feel that it is important to let the children know what their parents are doing, and if time permits, we are more than happy to answer questions and explain the donation process.

Whole blood donations are approximately one pint. Apheresis donations also take about a pint of fluid; both weigh approximately one pound.