FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT DONATING BLOOD

Q. Can I donate blood for myself for a surgery?
A. This is called an autologus blood donation (giving blood for your own surgery). The closest site to our offices who will take blood is Memorial Hospital in York, PA. Call the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Region of Baltimore at 1-800-787-0091 and ask for Special Collections for more information.

Q. Can I give blood for a family member/friend for a surgery?
A. This is called a directed donation (giving blood for a specific individual). Call the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Region of Baltimore at 1-800-787-0091 and ask for Special Collections for more information.

Q. How do I find out my blood type?
A. When you give blood the first time, the Red Cross will send you a card which will have your blood type printed on it. It can take up to two months to receive your card, so this is not the best practice if you just want to find your blood type.

Q. Can I get tested for AIDS when I give blood?
A. All blood donated to the Red Cross is tested for the AIDS virus. However, we do not recommend that you donate blood to determine if you have the AIDS virus, as it can place our staff and volunteers at risk.

Q. Who is eligible to donate blood?
Most healthy people who are at least 18 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds are able to donate blood. Federal regulations require donors to wait 56 days between donations.

Q. How can I donate bone marrow?
A. For more information contact the Greater Alleghenies Blood Region at 1-800-999-2566.

To speak with
someone regarding sponsoring a blood drive or seeing a presentation about blood donation, call Alana Moran
(Lancaster County)
at 717-733-2164
or Tiffany Miller
(Capital Region)
at 717-770-0660.