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 you donate whole blood or platelets at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, or give blood onboard the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Hospital Blood Mobile — the traveling extension of the Kraft Center — you are making a life-saving difference for patients in need, right here in the community.
About Blood Donation
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:
- At the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, located on the first floor of the Jimmy Fund Building at 35 Binney Street in Boston.
- At blood drives hosting the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Blood Mobile, which travels to community organizations, businesses, and schools throughout greater Boston.
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 felt sick within 72 hours of your donation appointment
- Have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test
- Have used needles to take any drugs not prescribed by your doctor IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS
- Have taken money, drugs, or other payment for sex IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS
- Have had sexual contact IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS with anyone described above
- Have taken any medication to prevent HIV infection by mouth IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS (these medications may be known by you under the following names: PrEP, PEP, Truvada, or Descovy)
- Have taken an injection or shot to prevent HIV infection IN THE PAST 2 YEARS
- Have EVER taken any medication to treat HIV infection
Other Requirements
- Antibiotics: Be 72 hours free AND 72 hours symptom-free.
- Dental work: Be 48 hours free of completed procedures — including cleanings. Please contact blood donor center with questions or if work on a specific procedure is ongoing.
- Medications or medical conditions: Please contact the blood donor center.
- Travel outside the USA: If within 12 months, please contact the blood donor center with detailed dates and locations.
- Living outside the USA: If lived for 5 years or more, please contact the donor center with detailed dates and locations.
- Tattoos: If tattoo was done in a Massachusetts state-regulated facility and the area is healed, then OK to donate.
- Body piercings (includes ears): If piercing was done in a state-regulated facility, then OK to donate.