Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S. Fraternity & Sorority Life is working with the Red Cross on a blood drive that is open to the university and Ann Arbor Communities. Consider donating today!
Monday, October 7, 2019 Noon to 6:00pm
Michigan League Ballroom
Search for blood drives and schedule appointments with the Red Cross app
- Text BLOODAPP to 90999*
- Search Red Cross on the App Store on the Google Play store
- #RedCrossBloodApp
Basic rules for eligibility:
- Must weigh at least 110 lbs
- Have not donated blood in the last 56 days for whole blood or 110 days for double reds
- Feeling well and in general good health
- Have photo ID (mcard is accepted)
- Well hydrated and eaten a meal before coming to donate
- Have not traveled outside the us in the last 12 months- some areas have a deferral period
- Some medications or health conditions cannot donate- call eligibility hotline with specific
What is the Process?
(Please plan on 1 ½ hours to complete)
Step One – Registration
Staff and volunteers will sign you in and go over basic eligibility and donation information. You will read information about donating blood, and will be asked to show a donor card, driver's license, or other form(s) of ID.
Step 2 – Mini Physical
You will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and places you have traveled. A nurse will check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level present in a sample of blood.
If you use Rapid Pass – this section step will go much faster redcrossblood.org/RapidPass
Step 2 – Donating
The actual donation takes about 8-10 minutes, during which you will be seated comfortably. The process is safe and sterile. Red Cross staff and volunteers will be available if you have any questions. Certain donation types, such as platelets, red cells or plasma, can take up to two hours.
Step 4 – Refreshments
After donating, you should have a snack and something to drink in the refreshments area. You can leave the site after 10-15 minutes and continue with your normal daily activities. Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you have helped save lives.
Tips for a Healthy Donation
- Maintain a healthy iron level in your diet by eating iron rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals and raisins.
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Drink an extra 16 oz. of water or nonalcoholic fluids before the donation.
- Eat a healthy meal before your donation. Avoid fatty foods, such as hamburgers, fries or ice cream before donating. (Fatty foods can affect the tests we do on your blood. If there is too much fat in your blood, your donation cannot be tested for infectious diseases and the blood will not be used for transfusion.)