If you would like to help with a Blood Mobile or in our Blood Center please call Teresa Dillavou at 319-234-6831 to volunteer.

• Donor Registration: Volunteers work scheduled shifts in our Center or on bloodmobiles as receptionists checking in donors prior to blood donations.
• Canteen Assistant: Volunteers serve refreshments to blood donors and visually observe for any donor reactions to report to nursing staff.
• Donor Escort: Volunteers escort donor to canteen area after they are finishing with the donation process. Requires walking within short distance

Every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood. Every day, the Red Cross must collect 900 blood donations in our region to meet patient need.  You must weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old and in good health to donate blood. All blood types are needed constantly, but there is a special need for O negative, O positive and B negative blood. Every unit of blood can be separated into several components, helping save the lives of three or more patients.

For more information about
Donor Eligibility Guidelines, click here.

The Red Cross is the premiere collection agency for blood and blood products. The Red Cross also is involved in processing and distributing blood and blood products. The Red Cross also does research and development projects aimed at better understanding blood to benefit the entire nation's health care system.

Please make an appointment to donate blood today!

Call us at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543)
for an appointment.
2530 University Ave, Waterloo, IA.

Please make an appointment to donate blood today!

Call us at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543)
for an appointment.
2530 University Ave, Waterloo, IA.

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Here is how it works...

Platelets are collected using a special donation process. A relatively small amount of blood is drawn from a donor's arm and goes into a special machine. This blood is rapidly spun in a centrifuge, which separates the platelet cells from the other blood components. The platelets go into a sterile plastic bag while the remaining blood components are returned through the donor's other arm. This cycle is repeated several times until enough platelets are collected. This donation process usually takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours and donors should feel perfectly fine after their donation.

Please make an appointment to donate blood today!

Call us at 319-234-6831
for an appointment.
2530 University Ave, Waterloo, IA.

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Last modified:  Friday, December 21, 2007