About Blood Donation
People undergoing treatment for cancer — as well as accident victims, transplant recipients, and many other patients — depend on transfusions to control their bleeding. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for these patients.
When whole blood is donated, it is later separated into components, including red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. A single blood donation can help as many as three patients.
Being able to count on volunteer blood donors at all times is especially important because blood has a limited shelf life. Volunteer donors ensure that there will be a sufficient supply of blood for the patients who need it, whenever they need it.
Blood donations benefiting Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women's patients are collected in two locations:
In general, to donate blood, you should be:
- At least 17 years old
- 110 pounds or heavier
- In good health
And you should not:
- Be pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- Have had a tattoo within the past 12 months
- Have had a dental procedure, including a routine cleaning, within 48 hours of donating
- Have traveled to a malaria-risk country
- Have felt sick within 72 of your donation appointment
About Platelet Donation
Platelets are the blood component serving as the body's "bandages." They allow blood to clot, helping wounds to heal.
Cancer patients, people who have sustained trauma, babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, and many other critically ill patients are at serious risk because their blood does not clot properly. They need transfusions of healthy platelets to control their bleeding. Volunteer donors are the only source of platelets for these patients.
Being able to count on volunteer platelet donors at all times is especially important because platelets have a shelf life of just five days. Volunteer donors ensure that there will always be a sufficient supply of platelets for patients in need.
Platelets benefiting patients at both Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women's are collected at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, located on the first floor of the Jimmy Fund Building at 35 Binney Street in Boston.
In general, to donate platelets, you should be:
- At least 17 years old
- 110 pounds or heavier
- In good health
And you should not:
- Have had a dental procedure, including a routine cleaning, within 48 hours of donating
- Have taken any antibiotics within 72 hours of donating
- Have taken any aspirin, or drugs containing aspirin (such as Anacin, Excedrin, or Feldene), within 48 hours of donating
- Have taken any Aleve, ibuprofen, or drugs containing ibuprofen (such as Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories), within 24 hours of donating
- Have felt sick within 72 hours of donating
Blood and Platelet Donation Appointments at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center
You can make an appointment to donate blood or platelets at the Kraft Center during the hours listed below:
Blood Donation Appointments
If you are a first-time donor
Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
If you are a returning donor
Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Platelet Donation Appointments
If you are a first-time donor
Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
If you are a returning donor
Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, 7:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Questions about eligibility or the donation process?
We're happy to help. Please call us at 888-LETS-GIV (538-7448) or 617-632-3206, or email us at blooddonor@partners.org.
Hosting the Blood Mobile
Made possible through the support of the Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Friends of Brigham and Women's Hospital, the new Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Blood Mobile travels to locations throughout greater Boston — allowing company employees, members of community organizations, high school and college students, and others to make a life-saving difference for their neighbors in need.
Mobile blood drives are a wonderful way to serve the community, honor and remember family and friends, support specific individuals in need of blood product transfusions — or simply help many Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women's patients at once.
Interested in hosting the Blood Mobile? Please call us at 888-LETS-GIV (538-7448) or 617-632-3206, or email us at blooddonor@partners.org.
What to Expect while Donating Blood at the Kraft Center or on the Blood Mobile
The actual blood collection process usually takes less than 10 minutes. Because you will also go through a pre-donation medical and travel history screening, as well as a rest period after donating, we ask that you plan to spend about an hour at your appointment.
- First, you will use a private computer kiosk to complete a confidential questionnaire about your medical and travel history. This will help ensure that you are eligible to donate blood at this time.
- Next, a staff member will take you into an exam room to go over your screening questionnaire.
- You will then move to a comfortable chair in the main donation area.
- For your blood donation, a single-use kit is used and disposed of after the collection process. The collection process itself takes about ten minutes.
- After the donation is complete, you will be asked to remain in the donor area for a short while. During this time, you can rest and enjoy snacks and drinks.
What to Expect while Donating Platelets at the Kraft Center
The exact time varies from donor to donor, but in general, you should plan on spending about two hours at your platelet donation appointment.
- When you check in, you will be asked for your photo ID. Then, you will complete a confidential questionnaire about your medical and travel history.
- Next, you will go into a private screening room to go over your questionnaire.
- You will then have a mini-check-up (including taking your temperature and blood pressure) to confirm that you are eligible to donate that day.
- You will then move to a comfortable, heated chair in our main donation area.
- For your platelet donation, a single-use kit is used and disposed of after the collection process.
- During the collection process, platelets are separated and your red cells and plasma are gently returned to you.
- The donation process itself takes about 90 minutes. You will be able to lay back and relax, read a book or magazine, watch a TV show or movie from our multimedia library on a personal TV screen, or surf the Internet with our free WiFi.
- After the donation is complete, you will be asked to remain in the Kraft Center for a few minutes and enjoy snacks and drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions about Donating Blood
Does my blood type make a difference?
Certain blood types are in greater demand (and shorter supply) than others at different periods. However, donors of all blood types are needed and welcomed.
How much blood will be taken during my donation?
A "unit" of blood is collected during a donation. This is equivalent to about one pint of blood.
Most adults have between 10 and 12 pints of blood in their bodies. Your body will replace the lost fluids within 24 hours, and will begin to replace the lost blood cells right away.
Does donating blood hurt?
Most people say they only feel a slight pinch of the needle at the start of the donation. (Many people also report feeling great after donating because they know they've helped patients in need.)
What should I do to get ready for my donation appointment?
- Eat a nutritious and filling meal the day of your appointment (and get plenty of calcium).
- Make sure you are well-hydrated. Try to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water the day before and the day of your donation appointment.
- Bring a valid photo ID with you to the appointment.
What should I do after my blood donation appointment?
- We encourage donors to drink plenty of good fluids (water and juices) after donating. This will help keep your body well-hydrated.
- Eat well the day of your donation and don't hesitate to snack if you feel hungry.
How often can I donate blood?
As long as you are healthy and continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you can safely donate every 56 days.
Frequently Asked Questions about Donating Platelets
Does my blood type make a difference?
If you are blood type AB, your platelets are especially valuable to certain patient populations. However, platelet donors of all blood types are always needed.
What should I do to get ready for my platelet donation appointment?
- Eat a nutritious and filling meal on the day of your appointment (including plenty of calcium).
- Make sure you are well-hydrated. Try to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water the day before and the day of your donation.
- Bring a valid photo ID with you to your appointment.
Does donating platelets hurt? Will it make me feel sleepy?
Most people say they only feel a slight pinch of the needle at the start of the donation. Because platelet donors get their oxygen-carrying red cells back, donors report feeling less tired than after giving blood. (Many people also report feeling great after donating because they know they've helped patients in need.)
What should I do after my platelet donation appointment?
- We encourage donors to drink plenty of good fluids (water and juices) after donating. This will help keep your body well-hydrated.
- Eat well the day of your donation and don't hesitate to snack if you feel hungry.
How often can I donate platelets?
As long as you are healthy and continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you can safely donate every seven days. Many of our platelet donors schedule regular appointments every other week.
Thank you for being — or considering becoming — a donor.