Please make an appointment to donate blood today!

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

Just as Red Cross volunteers from across the country converge to help during major disasters, donated blood may help save lives, wherever that may be. The stability of our nation’s blood supply is in the hands of thoughtful, dedicated volunteer blood donors who understand that healthy people should give blood for patients in need.

Under normal circumstances, approximately every two seconds someone in America will need a blood transfusion. Blood is a perishable product with a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets just five days, so it must be replenished constantly – there simply is no substitute.

Blood transfusions can be used for trauma victims – due to accidents and burns – heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies, when there are complications during childbirth, and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or other diseases, such as sickle cell disease.

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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. Click Here for more information.
• Canteen Assistant: Volunteers serve refreshments to blood donors and visually observe for any donor reactions to report to nursing staff. Click Here for more information.
• Donor Escort: Volunteers escort donor to canteen area after they are finishing with the donation process. Requires walking within short distance. Click Here for more information.

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 (16 with a parents consent) 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)
or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org for an appointment.
2530 University Ave, Waterloo, IA

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
or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org for an appointment.
2530 University Ave, Waterloo, IA

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Last modified:  Tuesday, February 12, 2008