Upcoming Dubois County June Blood Drive Dates

Donating blood is a safe process.

A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded.

• Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration, medical history and mini-physical, donation and refreshments.

• Every blood donor is given a mini-physical, checking the donor's temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood.

• The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour and 15 min.

• The average adult has about 10 pints of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation.

• A healthy donor may donate red blood cells every 56 days, or double red cells every 112 days.

• A healthy donor may donate platelets as few as 7 days apart, but a maximum of 24 times a year.

• All donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases before it can be released to hospitals.

• Information you give to the American Red Cross during the donation process is confidential. It may not be released without your permission except as directed by law.