At MKBC, we believe in empowering high school students to become tomorrow’s heroes—lifesaving blood donors who support the health and safety of our communities. By donating blood, students take an important step toward becoming responsible, compassionate citizens.
Students: Are you ready to make a difference? Discover what it takes to become a blood donor and what to expect during the donation process. Learn how your school can get involved, explore our scholarship opportunities, and find out how to earn a red graduation cord for your lifesaving efforts.
Educators: we’ve got resources just for you! Access tools and materials to help inspire your students and grow a culture of giving in your classrooms.
Students: Can You Donate Blood?
Thinking about donating? That’s awesome! Here’s what you need to know to get started:
You must be at least 16 years old (with parental consent)
You need to weigh at least 110 pounds
You should be feeling healthy on the day you donate
When you arrive, you’ll need to bring a valid photo ID, and we’ll do a quick check of your temperature, pulse, and iron levels (hemoglobin) to make sure you’re good to go.
Have a new tattoo or piercing? If it was done within the last 3 months, you may have to wait a bit before donating.
There are a few other things that might temporarily—or permanently—prevent you from donating. Click here for the full list.
Get Rewarded For Your Lifesaving Efforts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Blood Basics
Red Blood Cells can be stored for up to 42 days, while platelets can only be stored for up to 7 days – two of which are used for testing
Blood fights against infection and helps heal wounds.
Premature infants may use at least 1 – 4 units of Red Cells.
Accident victims may use at least 5 – 100 units of Red Cells.Burn victims may use at least 20 units of Platelets.
Cancer patients may use at least 3 – 10 units of Red Cells and 10 – 30 units of Platelets.
Sickle Cell patients may use at least 10 – 20 units of Red Cells.
Heart surgery patients may use at least 3 – 8 units of Red Cells, 1 – 10 units of Platelets and 2 – 5 units of Plasma.
Organ transplant patients may use at least 10 – 30 units of Red Cells, 10 – 30 units of Platelets, 10 – 20 units of Plasma and 20 bags of Cryoprecipitate.
Bone marrow transplant patients may use at least 15 – 20 units of Red Cells and 100 – 120 units of Platelets.
Approximately 43,000 units of blood are used each day in the United States.
Between 8-12 pints of blood are in the body of an average adult.
A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his/her body.
Blood Safety
Giving blood is generally considered safe. However, any procedure involves some degree of risk. Sterile procedures and disposable equipment are used in all Miller-Keystone Donor Centers and Blood Drives. Each needle is used once and then safely discarded and disposed.
40% of the US population is eligible for blood donation, yet less than 5% actually donate blood on an annual basis.
Every blood donation is screened for the following:
ABO and Rh blood types.
Unexpected red cell antibodies that result from prior transfusions, pregnancy, etc.
Antibody to Treponema pallidum (syphilis).
Antibody to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
Antibody to HCV (hepatitis C virus).
Antibody to HBC (hepatitis B core antigen).
HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen).
Antibody to HTLV (Human T- Lymphotropic virus)
Antibody to Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas’ Disease)
Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) for HCV, HBV, HIV, West Nile Virus (WNV) and Babesia
Yes. Donors who are confirmed positive for any abnormalities or infectious disease are notified immediately and offered counseling by Miller-Keystone Blood Center’s Medical Department.
Donating Blood
Lightly pinch the fleshy, soft underside of your arm. Did that hurt? That pinch is similar to what you will feel when the needle is inserted.
The actual donation of a pint of Whole Blood unit takes eight to 10 minutes.
Imagine a two liter container of soda. When you give blood, you’re donating approximately ¼ of a two liter container, or 525 mL.
It will take your body up to eight weeks for complete replacement of Red Blood Cells. Plasma is replaced within 48 hours.
After your donation, Miller-Keystone Blood Center performs rigorous testing on your blood to ensure its safety for patients in our local hospitals. After testing, your blood is properly labeled, stored and eventually shipped to one of the many hospitals served by Miller-Keystone Blood Center. Sometimes plasma is sent for further manufacturing into lifesaving medicines.
Thank you for making the decision to donate blood!
While appointments are preferred, walk-in donors are welcome and accepted as time permits. Schedule online at GIVEaPINT.org or over the phone at 800-B-A-DONOR.
Before you arrive for your appointment, please be sure to keep hydrated and eat a hearty meal.
When you arrive, please be prepared to provide us with valid identification, such as a driver’s license or your MKBC Donor ID. AIf you answered your medical history questions at home using iScreen®, present the barcode. If you did not answer your medical history questions using iScreen®, then you will answer them at the blood drive/donation center.
A trained medical screener will do a health check taking your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and testing your iron level. If your medical history questionnaire and your health check is successful, our staff will guide you to the most needed donation type. If whole blood is collected, the donation will take approximately 6-10 minutes. Automated collection of platelets, plasma, and red blood cells may take 30 minutes to 2 hours.
When you have completed your lifesaving blood donation, you will be directed to the canteen area where you can relax and be served refreshments. Whole blood donors must remain in the canteen for 15 minutes. And that is it! You will have shared your desire to save the life of others. While you may never know the recipient of your blood donation, you can be assured that they and their family are truly grateful.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Eligibility
If you’re in good health, 16 years of age or older, and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, you are most likely eligible for blood donation. There is no upper age limit for blood donors. Click here for general eligibility requirements. If you have more specific questions regarding your eligibility, please contact Miller-Keystone Blood Center’s Donor Resources Department at 1-800-B-A-DONOR.
While eating a well-balanced diet is important for all donors, simply eating iron-rich foods may not replace all the iron lost from blood donation. Taking multivitamins with iron or iron supplements, either prescribed or over the counter (from a drug store) may help replace iron lost. Iron supplements vary in name and proportion of iron within the tablet/caplet. The most effective dose, type of iron supplement, and length of treatment are currently being studied. Current recommendations range from one typical multivitamin with iron (19 mg iron) to elemental iron caplets (45 mg iron) for up to three months. Your physician or pharmacist may be able to assist you in deciding what dose, type and duration of iron supplement to choose.
If prescribed antibiotics, you are eligible to donate 24 hours after your last dose. If taking antibiotics as a preventative measure, you are eligible to donate.
Other medications may require a temporary or permanent deferral. The list of medications that may prevent you from donating is constantly changing, so if you were deferred in the past, we encourage you to confirm your eligibility from time to time, as you may once again become eligible.
For the most up-to-date list of acceptable / non-acceptable medications, click here! Medication Deferral List Definitions
Resources for Educators
As a teacher/principal/coach/guidance counselor, you play a powerful role in shaping students into active, compassionate members of their community. We’re here to support you with a range of educational tools designed to bring blood donation into the classroom.
Whether it involves teaching the science of blood, platelets, and plasma or highlighting blood donation as a meaningful act of community service, we can provide you with engaging videos, informative flyers, and other resources to help your students understand the impact of giving blood—and motivate them to become lifelong donors.
My Blood, Your Blood
A Blood Biology Program Presented On-Site By MKBC
Vein to Vein: The Science of Blood Donation
A High School Biology Education Program
click here to download the full, comprehensive program (PDF),
including integration ideas and student activities, extensive facts, glossary and resources;
virtual education opportunities, teacher preparation guide, and educational video.
Flyers/Brochures Available For Download
