Find a Drive

Date	Time	Location
March 19 & 20, 2013	7 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.	Towsley Lobby
April 16 & 17, 2013	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	Towsley Lobby
May 20 & 21, 2013	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	Towsley Lobby
July 11, 2013	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	Towsley Lobby
August 28 & 29, 2013	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	Towsley Lobby
September 11, 2013	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	Towsley Lobby
November 26 & 27, 2013	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	Towsley Lobby
December 23, 2013	7 a.m. - 7 p.m.	Towsley Lobby

Go to redcrossblood.org to locate a donation site convenient to your home or workplace. Just use the "goblue" sponsor code and all upcoming U-M blood drives will be found in your search.

If you want to donate blood and cannot attend a blood drive listed, please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-448-3543 or visit a local Red Cross Office.

For information on UMHS-sponsored blood drives, contact Kristina Martin at martkris@umich.edu.

Make your effort count even more by honoring an individual with your donation. Thinking of you cards will be available at Towsley Center Blood Drives or on line here.  Feel free to take a card and share with any of the following.

• Recognize a veteran or military member
• Show support for a loved one who is ill
• Anyone you would like to honor today with this life saving gift.

Why Give?

1. You will get free juice and cookies.
2. You will weigh less—one pint less when you leave than when you came in.
3. It’s easy and convenient—it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center, or at one of the many UMHS/American Red Cross mobile blood drives.
4. It’s a priceless gift, and something we can all spare, yet there’s still not enough to go around.
5. Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have your bandage on. You can wear it as long as you like—it’s your badge of honor.
6. You will walk a little taller afterward –you’ve done your good deed for the day!
7. You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it.
8. You will be someone’s hero – you may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother or a sister another chance at life.
9. This year over 4 million Americans will need blood products to survive illness or injury—you can help save up to three of these lives with just one donation.
10. It’s the right thing to do.

Can I Donate?

To be an eligible blood donor you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old or 16 years old if allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks (56 days). "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.

What if I have an infection or a cold?
If you have an active infection such as a cold or the flu you should not be donating. Some symptoms include fever or inflammation.

I have heart disease, can I donate?
In general, you are an acceptable donor as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, have no current (within the last 6 months) heart related symptoms such as chest pain and have no limitations or restrictions on your normal daily activities.

• Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.
• Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.
• Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.

If you have a pacemaker, you may donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute with no more than a small number of irregular beats, and you meet the other heart disease criteria. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Other health concerns:

Cancer
Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been at least 5 years since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Some low-risk cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin do not require a 5 year waiting period.

Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Arthritis
You are eligible to give blood if you are feeling well and not on immuno-suppressant medication. Arava, Gold Therapy and Methotrexate are acceptable.

High or Low Blood Pressure
You are an acceptable donor as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.

If you have low blood pressure you are an acceptable donor as long as you feel well when you come to donate. If your blood pressure normally runs low, it may be more difficult for your body to adjust to the volume loss following donation, especially if you are dehydrated. Drinking extra water before and after donation is important.

What if I’m on medication?
Most medications are okay. It is the illness for which the medication is given that could be a problem. Antibiotics are acceptable when the full course of the medication is complete and you are symptom free. Women taking oral contraceptives are also acceptable donors.

Specific drugs have waiting periods following their last dose before they can donate blood. These include:
Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis or Sotret (isoretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 1 month from the last dose.

• Avodart (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
• Aspirin, no waiting period for donating blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Clopidogrel - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Coumadin (warfarin), heparin or other prescription blood thinners- you should not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate.
• Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 12 months after exposure to hepatitis.
• Human pituitary-derived growth hormone at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
• Plavix - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Soriatane (acitretin) - wait 3 years.
• Tegison (etretinate) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
• Ticlid - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Ticlopidine - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.

I’ve been to the dentist recently, can I donate?
You can donate after dental procedures as long as there is no infection present. Wait to give blood until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection. Wait for 3 days after having oral surgery.

Do immunizations affect donation?
If you were vaccinated for influenza, tetanus or meningitis, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free you can donate blood. Other immunizations:

• German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) and Chicken Pox wait 4 weeks after immunization.
• Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine wait 2 weeks after immunizations.
• Hepatitis B (as long as you are not given the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B) wait 7 days after immunization.
• Smallpox vaccination and did not develop complications
  Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having a smallpox vaccination as long as you have had no complications. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.
• Smallpox vaccination and developed complications
  Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having had the smallpox vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.
• Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any skin lesions or other symptoms.
  Eligible to donate.
• Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since a developed skin lesions or symptoms. Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of the first skin lesion or sore. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.

I had surgery recently
You’re usually an acceptable donor after your stitches or staples are removed, the wound has healed and you’ve returned to normal activities. One exception to this rule is if you received a blood transfusion for the surgery.

I had my ears or body pierced, received a tattoo or had electrolysis work done—can I donate?
For piercing or electrolysis, you are considered an acceptable donor as long as the instruments used were sterile, one time use only.

• Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free of blood contamination.

Wait 12 months after receiving a tattoo.

Does pregnancy affect donation?
Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Wait 6 weeks after giving birth.

What if I’ve traveled or lived outside of the U.S.?
Wait 12 months after travel in an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after living in a country where malaria is found. If you spend a long time in areas with “mad cow disease” you are ineligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD).

Persons who were born in or who lived in certain countries in Western Africa, or who have had close contact with persons who were born in or who lived in certain West African countries are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about HIV Group O.
Relay any information about international travel or living to the health historian at the time of donation.

(From the American Red Cross’ www.givelife.org)

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What to Expect/Bring

Donating blood is a four-step process that takes about an hour.

Step 1: Registration
When you first arrive to the blood drive you will read information about donating blood and asked to complete a form with demographic and basic health information questions. The form requires you to provide your name, address and age. Also, you will be asked to show proper identification before donating blood. If you are unable to provide appropriate identification, you will not be allowed to donate until proper identification is presented.

Preferred identification

ONE of the following:	OR	TWO of the following
Red Cross blood donor card Driver's license Current student ID with photo State ID Passport Military ID INS( Immigration & Naturalization Service) Card Corporate ID with photo Credit card with photo		Work ID Social Security card Birth certificate (original or certified copy) Personal check book ( with name and address) Library card (with donor's name on it) Fishing or hunting license Credit car or bank card Driver's license without photo Club or museum membership card Non-Red Cross blood donor card School or college ID Vehicle registration Voter registration card Selective service card Insurance card Payroll stub Professional license (RN, LPN, Etc.)

A high school student who does not have acceptable identification will be required to have his or her identity and age verified

Step 2: Health History
A trained staff person will ask you some health history questions during a private and confidential interview. You will also go through a mini-physical where your pulse, temperature, blood pressure and iron level will be evaluated. This is to ensure the safety of the blood supply.

Step 3: Donation
After being screened, staff will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a needle for the blood drawing procedure. You will have 7-10 minutes to relax while the pint-sized bag is filling. When approximately a pint of blood has been collected, the staff person will remove the needle and place a bandage on your arm.

Step 4: Relax with Refreshments!
You will spend a few minutes enjoying refreshments and relaxing to allow your body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluids. While most people are fine immediately afterward, some people feel slightly weak, but the feeling should pass quickly. You can leave the donation site after a few minutes and carry on with your normal daily activities.

Donating Tips

Before Donating

• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat a good breakfast or lunch
• Drink extra fluids to replace what you will donate, and avoid caffeine

During the Donation

• Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow
• Show the staff any “good veins” that have been used successfully in the past
• Relax

After the Donation

• Take your time at the canteen area immediately after donating—relax and enjoy snacks
• Make it a point to rehydrate by drinking plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours
• If you feel light headed, lie down and elevate your feet until the feeling passes
• Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about five hours after donation