For most people, donating blood is a quick and relatively painless experience. You might feel a brief pinch when the needle goes in—similar to a mosquito bite—but the discomfort is usually minimal and lasts only a moment. Our trained staff is here to keep you comfortable and safe every step of the way, and you’re always encouraged to ask questions before, during, and after your donation.

Before donating, be sure to eat a healthy meal—iron-rich foods like meat and leafy greens are especially helpful—and drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. It’s also important to know the names of any medications you’re taking and the reasons you’re taking them. Try to avoid alcohol before and after your donation.

Don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID: driver’s license, passport, military ID, INS (green) card, or blood center ID card (Shepeard or other).

No, you don’t need to know your blood type before donating. In fact, donating is a great way to find out! Test results are typically available within two days. You can view your blood type, cholesterol levels, and more through our donor portal.

The entire blood donation process typically takes less than 60 minutes (automated donations may take a bit longer). This includes a brief health screening, where we’ll ask about your medical history, travel, and medications, followed by a quick mini-physical to check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and iron level. These results will be available to you through our donor portal. The actual blood draw takes just 10–15 minutes. Afterward, we ask that you rest for at least 15 minutes while enjoying a complimentary snack and drink. Smokers should refrain from smoking for at least 30 minutes after donating.

The human body has an incredible ability to restore blood. Most people replace the volume lost during a donation within four to six weeks. However, the full replenishment of red blood cells can vary based on your diet, hydration, and overall health. To help your body recover, be sure to stay hydrated and eat nutrient-rich foods after donating.

You can donate whole blood every eight weeks, just 56 days!

You can donate blood at one of our donation centers or public blood drives. We accept walk-ins, but we do encourage donors to schedule an appointment to avoid delays.

You can make a whole blood or an automated donation.

Whole blood donation is the most common type and includes all three components of blood—red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. That’s why we call it “whole”! If you’re new to donating or don’t yet know your blood type, whole blood is a great place to start.

Automated donation, also known as apheresis, is a more targeted way to give. Using advanced machines like the Trima and Alyx, we can collect specific blood components, such as red blood cells, plasma, or platelets, based on what patients need most. These machines separate your blood, keep only the selected component(s), and return the rest to you through the same arm, along with fluids to help you stay hydrated and feel good.

For instance, if you’re donating platelets, the Trima machine will collect your whole blood, separate the components, retain your platelets, and return your red cells and plasma. If you’re giving red blood cells, the Alyx machine collects a concentrated donation and returns your plasma and platelets. It’s a safe, efficient process—and yes, it’s pretty cool!

While automated donations take a bit longer than whole blood donations, they give you more time to relax, and they have a big impact. One automated platelet donation, for example, can provide as many platelets as eight or more whole blood donations.

Not sure what to donate? Our team is happy to guide you. We can help match your blood type to the donation that will do the most good for patients in our community.

You can read more about blood components here.

You must be at least sixteen years old to give blood. Sixteen-year-olds must present a signed Parental Consent Form at each donation.

Like most blood donation centers, Shepeard Community Blood Center requires all donors to weigh at least 110 pounds (about 50 kilograms). This weight requirement helps ensure the donor’s safety and well-being during and after the donation process.

Yes, you can usually donate blood if you smoke or vape tobacco products. Smoking cigarettes/cigars or vaping does not disqualify you from donating blood as long as you meet all other eligibility criteria. However, it is important to note that smoking can have adverse effects on your overall health, including increased blood pressure, which may affect your ability to donate. It is generally advised not to smoke on the day of your appointment.

Using cannabis does not disqualify you from donating blood as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements; in fact, asking about cannabis use is not part of the health questionnaire. It is advised that if you have recently used cannabis, you do not attempt to donate if you are feeling any effects on your comprehension or memory.

Many vaccines do not require a waiting period to donate, provided you are symptom-free and have no signs of fever. This is not a complete list, but here are some examples of vaccines with no waiting period: flu, allergy, cholera, diphtheria, human papillomavirus (HPV vaccine), meningitis, pertussis, pneumonia, rabies, and tetanus booster. Other common injections with no waiting period include: Depo-Provera, Botox, and Novocaine.

Certain medications and medical conditions may prevent you from donating, at least temporarily. Call 706-737-4551 to inquire about your specific medical conditions or medications, or view the Medication Deferral List.

You may donate blood if you have medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes (even if you are insulin dependent). You must meet blood donation criteria, including passing the mini-physical, which includes checking your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and your iron level.

You should feel well and healthy when you donate. If you have an active infection and are taking antibiotics, wait until you are well. To find out more about how your medical condition(s) may affect you donating blood, please contact your local Shepeard donation center by calling 706.737.4551 or emailing info@shepeardblood.org.

You may be eligible to donate blood if it has been at least one year since completing cancer treatment, and there has been no recurrence. Minor, treated skin cancers (like basal cell or squamous cell) do not disqualify you from donating. However, individuals who have had blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, are permanently ineligible to donate.

You can donate blood three months after having a blood transfusion, provided that you meet all other eligibility criteria.

Yes!  According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) updated guidelines, if you were once deferred from donating blood for geographic risk factors related to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), commonly known as “Mad Cow” disease, you are now eligible to be a blood donor as long as you meet all other donor eligibility requirements.

No, but you can give blood six weeks after giving birth, having a miscarriage, or an abortion. Nursing mothers are not encouraged to donate as the body is still transferring spare nutrients to milk production.

Yes. As long as your tattoo or piercing was done at a professionally licensed shop and is fully healed with no signs of infection, it will not affect your eligibility to donate.

Yes, LGBTQ+ individuals are eligible to donate blood. Blood donation eligibility is based on individual risk factors for transmitting bloodborne infections rather than sexual orientation or gender identity. However, there are specific guidelines related to sexual activity and potential exposure to bloodborne infections that may affect eligibility.

Yes, you must choose male or female at the beginning of the donor history questionnaire. Your reply determines what hemoglobin level is appropriate to qualify you as a donor.

A new sexual partner is a person with whom you have started a new relationship in the last 3 months, OR a person with whom you had a past relationship and resumed the relationship in the last 3 months.

You can fill out your QuickPass the day of your donation. By filling out your health questionnaire at home before visiting your local Shepeard center or mobile drive, you will fast-track your screening and enjoy the privacy of answering personal questions in your own space. Just remember: these forms are single-use, so if you come in on a different day, you will need to complete a new one to reflect any changes in your health history.

Before donating, be sure to eat a healthy meal—iron-rich foods like meat and leafy greens are especially helpful—and drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. It’s also important to know the names of any medications you’re taking and the reasons you’re taking them. Try to avoid alcohol before and after your donation.

Remember to bring a valid photo ID when you donate.

No, you don’t need to know your blood type before donating. In fact, donating is a great way to find out! Test results are typically available within two days. You can view your blood type, cholesterol levels, and more through our donor portal.

The frequency of blood donation is determined by procedure.

• Whole blood donation: every 56 days
• Plasma donation: every 28 days
• Platelet donation: every 14 days (maximum 24 donations per year)
• Double Red Cell donation: every 112 days

Your blood will be tested for ABO blood type and several communicable diseases, including hepatitis, HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), syphilis, HTLV I & II, and unexpected antibodies. To help several patients, your blood may also be separated into components (red blood cells, plasma, and/or platelets). Shepeard Community Blood Center provides blood products to over 30 local hospitals in Georgia and South Carolina.

Blood donation at Shepeard Community Blood Center is strictly voluntary.

Shepeard Community Blood Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit blood center. Shepeard is not affiliated with the American Red Cross or any for-profit plasma centers.

After your donation appointment is complete, take it easy and follow these precautions to replenish your iron and blood supply.

• Pat yourself on the back for taking action to help others and save lives!
• Schedule your next blood donation and keep the momentum going. You have the potential to save up to three lives with every whole blood donation!
• Keep your bandage/arm wrap on for at least five hours and avoid exercise for the rest of the day.
• If the site of your blood donation begins to bleed, lift your arm above your head and apply pressure to the needle site for 5 to 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
• If a bruise develops, apply ice at 10 to 15 minute intervals on the first day. After that, use a warm compress.
• Drink four 8-oz glasses of water. Hydration is key!
• Eat healthy, iron-rich foods, or add an over-the-counter iron supplement to replace the lost iron.
• Dizziness and a loss of strength can occur. If this happens, lie down and raise your feet until you feel better.

Contact us if:

• You develop a fever, sore throat, diarrhea, or any flu symptoms within 48 hours of donating.
• You are diagnosed with West Nile Virus or develop its symptoms (headache in conjunction with fever) within 14 days of donating.

If you believe your blood donation should not be used, contact us. If you do not want to give specifics about why we should not use your blood, just say “for confidential reasons.”

Yes. All donated blood is tested for HIV and many other disease markers to ensure that it is safe for a recipient.