Thank you for choosing to help save lives through blood and platelet donations. Young donors, like you, play an important role in helping to make sure that blood is available when and where it is needed most. The American Red Cross wants you to have the best possible donation experience as you begin your life-long donation journey. As a blood donor, you donate one pint of blood, which your body quickly replaces.
As someone who is new to donating blood, we encourage you to focus on being a healthy blood donor. Here are a few things you should do to have the best possible experience:. Female donors who are 18 years old and younger must weigh lbs.
See chart below:. Male donors who are 18 years old and younger must weigh lbs. Select your state from the list below to download and print the appropriate form for your state. The parent or guardian must read all of the information provided about blood donation and research and must sign the consent form in black ink.
The student must present the signed consent form on the day of donation. Sorry, you must be at least 17 years old to donate blood in this state. When a primary form of ID is not available, the donor needs two secondary forms of ID such as:. Without any of the previously listed forms of ID, the ID and date of birth of a high school student may be checked by the following:. Please make sure to bring your photo identification or Red Cross donor card with you.
You should feel well on the day of donation. If you're not feeling well, we ask that you wait and donate when you're better. Here are some other helpful tips to prepare:. Choose lean proteins lean meat, cheese and yogurt or complex carbohydrates bread, cereal and fruit and avoid fatty foods. Drink a few extra glasses of water, including an extra glass about 10 to 30 minutes before your donation. It is also important that you have a good understanding of your medical history. You will be asked a series of questions that are personal in nature β about travel, medication, drug use and sex.
