Health and Fitness : Have you ever wondered if you could donate blood?

Virginia Gay Hospital will hold a blood drive on May 22, 2026, 11:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. See flyer below for details!

Questions?

Eligibility for blood donation with LifeServe Blood Center is determined by criteria established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as other blood banking industry regulatory agencies. 

General Eligibility Requirements:

All donors should be in overall good health, and are encouraged to be rested and well-nourished at the time of donation.

Prior to donation, all potential donors must register with LifeServe Blood Center and provide a form of identification printed with their name (e.g., driver’s license, social security card, credit card, etc.)

Age Donors must be at least 16 years or older. If first time donors are 16 or 17 years old they must have a signed LifeServe Blood Center Parental/Guardian Permission Form. 

Alcohol Permissible if not under the influence at the time of donation.

Antibiotics Donors should not donate if currently taking for an infection.

Cancer For most types of cancer, donors are eligible to donate once treatment is completed. Those who have had a leukemia or lymphoma are permanently deferred.

Cold You should not donate if you have a cold on the day of donation. 

Diabetes Okay if well controlled by diet and medications. 

Drugs/Medicines Some medications may be fine for blood donation. At the time of donation, donors will need to provide names of medications that are currently being taken or have previously been taken.

Ear/Skin Piercing Okay if performed in a licensed facility with single-use, sterile instruments and equipment. 

Epilepsy/Convulsions/Seizures Okay if seizure-free for six months.

Heart Problems or Heart Surgery (Now or in the Past) Some heart conditions are acceptable for blood donation and others may not be. 

Infections Donors should not donate with an infection or if currently taking medication prescribed for an infection. 

Pregnancy Okay six weeks after pregnancy ends. Breastfeeding is not a cause for deferral. 

Vaccine Some vaccinations may be fine for blood donation. At the time of donation, donors will need to provide names of vaccines received in the last eight weeks.

Tattoos Okay if performed in a facility licensed to apply tattoos in the state of: Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Illinois, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin.

Travel Some travel outside of the United States may lead to a deferral. Donors will be required to provide specific locations as well as duration of stay and dates of return to determine donation eligibility. 

Weight Maximum weight allowed is 350 pounds on our bloodmobile vehicles, 400 pounds at a donor center location, and 500 pounds at on-site mobile blood drives

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR A POSITIVE BLOOD DONATION:

Save time at your donation by filling out your LifeServe QuickPass online the day of your donation. We

want you to feel great after you’ve donated.

Prior to your donation:

Drink plenty of fluids the night before and leading up to your donation - hydration is key to a positive experience.

Eat a good meal - do not donate on an empty stomach.

Incorporate a bit more salt in your meals and snacks on the day of your donation.

Get plenty of rest prior to your donation

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE DONATION:

Four basic steps make up blood donation:

1. Registration. Donors will provide their information, signed Parental/guardian permission form if necessary, and identification. 

2. History Screening. Donors will complete a series of health and lifestyle questions and receive a mini-physical to check temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and hemoglobin level.

3. Donation. Collecting a unit of blood - about one pint - takes approximately 5-10 minutes. Donors may feel a slight pinch for a few seconds, but that is it!

4. Snacks. After the donation, donors will rest in the snack area and enjoy refreshments.

For specific questions regarding donation eligibility, call 800.287.4903, ext. 4876 or email nurse@lifeservebloodcenter.org