The Donation Process

Step 1: Screening
There is a standardized series of questions that all blood donors must answer. All information is confidential and will not be shared with an employer, supervisor or anyone else. Your privacy is an utmost priority. Many people are on a variety of medications and most do not impact a person’s ability to donate blood. CICBC staff will advise you if any medication prevents you from being able to donate blood.

Step 2: Mini – Physical
A mini-physical will be conducted to check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and the iron level in your blood to ensure that you are physically able to give blood. This is a valuable benefit and occasionally people learn of a situation that leads them to their doctor for evaluation.

Step 3: Blood Donation Process
The actual blood donation process in the chair only takes about 10 minutes. Your blood pressure will be checked and monitored, while a pint of blood is removed. For the vast majority of people, this is not a painful procedure. You will feel a split-second pinch when the needle is inserted, then you relax while the process begins. The feeling you get when you leave is hard to explain, but gives everyone a tremendous positive feeling knowing that you may have saved a life!

You’re My Type!
The blood types of blood donors in central and southwestern Illinois are close to those of the national averages. CICBC-specific data are as follows:

	Blood Type	% of CICBC Donors	% of National Donors
	A+	33%	34%
	A -	7%	6%
	AB+	3% **	3% **
	AB -	1% **	1% **
	B+	8%	9%
	B -	2%	2%
	O+	38% *	38% *
	O -	8% *	7% *

* In an emergency, anyone can receive type O negative red blood cells. People with type O negative red blood cells are known as "universal donors." O positive donors can give to all Rh positive blood groups (i.e., A+, B+, O+, and AB+ blood groups.)

** Type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO type. Those with type AB blood are known as "universal recipients." In addition, AB donors can give their plasma containing products (fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate) to all blood types.

Optional Types of Blood Donations
There are several types of alternative blood donations:

1. Using Your Own Blood
   You may be able to use your own blood (an autologous blood donation) for an upcoming surgery. The advantage is that it’s your blood and it reduces the chance of having a reaction to a blood transfusion. You will need your doctor’s permission and the blood can be drawn up to six weeks before surgery.
   
   
2. Directed Donation
   People donate blood for a family member or friends who have the same blood type. In many trauma cases in which someone’s life is in danger, friends and family often ask to schedule a blood drive in their community, or they can have a blood donated at the Springfield Donor Room or at a blood drive.
   
   
3. Apheresis Donation
   An apheresis blood donation is one that uses a machine to separate blood components so that only certain parts are collected, such as platelets. Platelets are used to stop bleeding and one of the major user groups is cancer patients. Pheresis donations often harvest 6-8 times as many platelets than one whole blood donation. Pheresis donors experience less fluid loss and are able to donate much more often.

For more information, contact the Blood Center toll-free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD.

Additional Blood Processes
Over half of blood donations on the national level have the white cells removed. This is called leukocyte reduction. This process benefits blood transfusion patients by preventing reactions to transfusions and help them to recover more quickly. Some units of blood are irradiated for bone marrow and transplant patients.