Blood Donations

 

The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross supplies blood to Central Maryland, Northern Virginia and South Central Pennsylvania, including Baltimore and Washington, DC. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of blood, and approximately 95% of the U.S. population will need blood during their lifetime or know someone who will, yet only about 5% give blood. Help us by donating blood today. Together, we can make a difference.

 

 For all information and appointments

                                  Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

                                  (1-800-448-3543)

 

Types of Donations

Whole Blood

Giving blood is easy, and it can make a big difference! The donation process takes about 30 minutes in most cases, and each donation can save up to three lives.

Apheresis/Platelets

Platelets help blood to clot. When bleeding occurs, platelets clump togethe to prevent the body from fatal hemorrhaging -- or excessive bleeding. Platelets are used to treat patients such as cancer patients, trauma victims, those receiving organ transplants and patients with certain blood diseases.  An apheresis donation involves two needles. A needle is placed in each arm, and each is connected to an automated collection machine. Whole blood is collected from one arm, is then sent through a centrefuge, which separates the platelets from the other blood components, returning the remaining blood components through the other arm. The entire donation time is about 2 hours.

 

How Can I Donate?

You can donate at a community blood drive or you can go to the local donor center.  Whichever you choose, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. Blood hours are listed below; ask for aphresis hours when you call for your appointment.

 

 

To Find a Blood Drive, click the Donate Blood icon below!