Blood Donation FAQ

Donating blood is a fast and free way to make a big difference. Your donation gives children a better chance for a healthy life. Here’s what to expect at every stage of the process.

Before donating

You’ll make an appointment to come to the first floor of the Administrative Pavilion at Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. You can also search for a mobile blood drive.

• Wear a short-sleeved shirt or one that the sleeves are easily rolled up for access.
• Bring a government issued ID.
• Eat a full meal 1 to 2 hours before donating.
• Drink plenty of water and limit caffeine intake.

The blood donation process

The blood donation process takes about 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish. When you arrive at the Blood Donor Center or mobile blood drive, you will:

• Check in and answer a series of confidential health questions.
• Have a quick check of your weight, blood pressure, temperature and hemoglobin (protein in your blood that transports oxygen).
• Donate blood! This step takes about 5 to 15 minutes. We typically draw about 450 milliliters, or about 1 pint, of blood.

After donating

Congratulations on your donation! You’ve made a big impact for kids in need. We recommend that you:

• Relax in the refreshment area and enjoy juice and snacks.
• Don't skip meals and drink plenty of fluids. Foods rich in iron help your body make new blood cells.
• Do not smoke for at least 30 minutes after donation.
• Leave the strip bandage on for 1 to 2 hours.
• If you feel dizzy or light-headed, don't drive or operate machinery. Sit down immediately with your head lower than your heart until the symptoms stop.
• Avoid strenuous or hazardous activity, such as lifting heavy weights.

Apheresis platelet donations

In addition to whole blood, we’re seeking platelets. This is the part of blood that helps your blood clot properly. Platelets last only 7 days, so we always need new platelet donations.

Healthy people can donate platelets during a procedure called apheresis. A machine separates your blood into red cells, plasma and platelets, keeps what we need and returns the rest to you.

You can donate platelets every 2 weeks, and donations take about 2 hours. We provide movies, WiFi and refreshments for a comfortable experience.

Before donating platelets

You’ll make an appointment the same way as donating blood. Preparing for a platelet donation requires a few extra steps than donating blood to make sure you can donate:

• Increase your calcium intake an hour or two before donating.
• Avoid aspirin for at least 48 hours before donating platelets. If it's prescribed, check with your doctor first.

Ensuring safety

Our team uses sterile, disposable needles and equipment for your safety. We test every unit of blood we collect for blood type and infectious diseases to ensure a safe supply.

Host a blood drive

Updated guidelines to expand donor eligibility

In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new evidence-based guidelines that expand eligibility for blood donation. With this change, all blood donor centers in the U.S. are required to ask additional eligibility questions of all prospective blood donors, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Now, more individuals can give the gift of blood donation, including some who may have once been ineligible to donate. These changes represent a significant step in the blood community’s continuing journey to build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community of donors.

Learn more about donor eligibility.

Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets

Are you ready to schedule an appointment? Please make an appointment online now through our blood donor portal. 

For questions, call  720-777-5398 or email Donate4Kids@childrenscolorado.org.