Community Comes First
The Donation Process:
The donation process takes less than 45 minutes and is a four-step process. You will fill out a short health history form and be asked to read some educational materials about donating blood. A mini physical - which includes having your blood pressure, pulse, iron and temperature checked by a staff member - will be the next step. The staff member will also go over the donor history card with you at this time. You then move on to the donation itself. This typically takes about 5-7 minutes. When you have finished donating, you will be asked to stay for at least 10 minutes to have a drink and snack.
The Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York connects donors to patients who are in need of life-sustaining blood products in the communities we serve.
Whole Blood Donation - This is the shortest and most common type of donation. On average, this process takes between 30-45 minutes from beginning to end. Whole blood donation takes your red blood cells, plasma and platelets. You are eligible every 56 days after a whole blood donation and you must weigh at least 110 lbs.
2RBC - Don’t have time to get down to the blood bank every 56 days? Then this is the donation type for you. Cut your donation visits in half while still donating the same amount! The 2RBC machine takes your blood and spins it in a centrifuge to take only your red blood cells. Your platelets, plasma and saline solution are returned to you. This process allows us to safely take 2 units of red cells from the donor, which is also more effective for the recipient. The 2RBC process takes about 45 minutes total and you are eligible to donate every 16 weeks.
Platelet Apheresis - (Only available at 26th and Peach Street location). By appointment only! Platelet donation takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete and you are eligible to donate every 2 weeks. Platelets are the essential component for blood to clot normally. Cancer patients are the main recipients of platelets. 20% of all blood products collected by the CBB go to cancer patients. You must weigh at least 130 pounds and avoid products containing aspirin and ibuprofen for 3 days before your appointment.
