Blood Donations

Blood Drive Donations in Southwest Florida

Blood Donor Requirements

To donate blood, you must:

• Weigh at least 115 pounds
• Be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent
• Provide photo ID, if a new donor
• Reasons you may be deferred from donating

There are several reasons a potential donor is deferred from donating, including:

• Currently ill — cold, flu, sore throat — or being treated for an illness.
• Recent dental surgery (no infection and off antibiotics)
• Other blood or plasma donation within the last eight weeks
• History of hepatitis
• Positive HIV test

There are many medications that you can take and still be allowed to donate, including:

• Blood pressure medications—provided that your B/P is within normal limits
• Cholesterol medications
• Aspirin, Tylenol, or similar medications

If you are on prescription medication and it is not mentioned above, please check with the Lee Health Blood Center staff for further clarification.

What are the benefits of donating blood?

Each donation can save the life of a person with leukemia, cancer, or anemia, and those undergoing surgery for illness or injury. Your donation will help ensure an adequate supply for both children and adults who are patients within Lee Health. 

How does the blood donation process work?

Following registration, you will answer simple medical history questions and receive a mini-physical. You will then be seated in a comfortable chair while you donate.

How long does the process take?

The entire life-saving process takes approximately 45 minutes. The actual donation time is only 5-10 minutes. Needles and bags used to collect blood are used only once and discarded, which makes the spread of infection to the donor not possible. 

Did you know that every time you donate blood, you receive a mini-physical at no cost? At our blood centers, you will be checked for the following:

• Pulse rate
• Blood pressure
• Body temperature
• Hemoglobin level
• Blood type and cholesterol level upon successful donation

Donating blood helps more than one person

Just a single pint of blood can help save the lives of several people. Your donation can be separated into its different components; the platelets may go to a child with leukemia, the plasma to a patient with a clotting problem, and the red blood cells to an accident victim. Whole blood donations are processed into a variety of blood components.

Donate blood today!

Help ensure that adequate supplies of blood are available for you, your family, and others in our community. Call 239-343-2333 for the location of the Lee Health Blood Center nearest you.