What to Expect When You Donate Blood for the First Time

A graduate of Oregon's Crescent Valley High School, Cody Gotchall is pursuing a degree in business at Chemeketa Community College. Since he was in high school, Cody Gotchall has donated blood to the American Red Cross.

As much as potential donors might want to support a great cause, not everyone is eligible to give blood. Donors must be at least 17 years old in most states, although some states allow 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent.

Blood donors must also be in good general health and weigh at least 110 pounds. To improve hemoglobin levels in advance of a blood donation, donors are encouraged to eat a well-balanced diet with foods high in vitamin C and rich in iron, such as red meat, fish, and spinach.

Upon arriving at a blood donor clinic, individuals are asked to sign in, present identification, read required information, undergo a general health check, and answer some private interview questions. The blood donation process takes less than 30 minutes, after which donors are given a snack and a drink in a 15-minute resting period. Blood donors need to wait at least 56 days before they donate again.