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What to Expect When You Donate Blood or Platelets

  • 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.

    • 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, 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.

  • Contact Us to Donate

    617-632-3206

  • What to Expect When Donating Blood or Platelets at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center
    The Kraft Family Blood Donor Center provides lifesaving blood products to patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Lots of people have questions about what the process of giving blood and platelets is like. Our staff explains what to expect.