Donating Blood is Simple as Can Be
The donor process is the same with every unit collected to help ensure the safety, quality and effectiveness of each donation.
 
When you arrive at the blood drive or donation center, you will sign in and be asked to complete a Blood Donation Record (BDR) -- a questionnaire that asks more than 40 important questions about health and personal activities to determine if you meet blood donation requirements. Please be sure to bring some form of identification. An American Red Cross blood donor card, driver's license or workplace ID are all good options.
 
When you finish answering the questions, you will proceed to a private health history interview where a staff member reviews the BDR to clarify information and ensure that you meet the required criteria. Within the individual health history interview, the staff member will perform a mini-physical to check your blood pressure, temperature and iron level. These tests are done for your safety.
 
When these checks are satisfactorily completed, you go to where the blood unit is collected. When you are ready to donate, a Red Cross staff member will clean your arm and insert a sterilized needle. Each needle is used only once and then discarded, so donating blood is a safe process! This procedure only takes about 10 minutes. The entire process usually takes less than one hour.
  
Blood Drives
Approximately 200 blood drives are held every week throughout the Carolinas Region. Use our simple search tool to find a blood drive in your area.
 
The Red Cross also operates 11 community donor centers with regular hours throughout the region.

	Asheville, NC		Huntersville, NC
	Cary, NC		Johnson City, TN
	Charlotte, NC		Raleigh, NC (2)
	Durham, NC		Wilmington, NC
	Greensboro, NC Winston-Salem, NC

 
Blood drives are posted regularly. On occasion, last-minute changes do occur that may not be reflected here. Please confirm by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE.