"ENRICH YOUR LIFE...SHARE IT WITH OTHERS"
Did you know
thousands of people in the United States receive blood every day and their
lives are either saved, prolonged or quality of life is improved. These people
receive blood from unselfish strangers that they never meet. Won't you please
consider becoming one of these strangers who help so many people?
The need for
blood and platelets is a constant one both locally and nationally. When a
disaster or emergency occurs, blood units that are readily available are
desperately needed. New donations require days to be tested before becoming
available for transfusion. When you donate blood, your precious gift is
given directly to a patient in need.
Stony Brook
University Medical Center, along with other Suffolk County hospitals, uses tens
of thousands of units of blood each year. According to Dennis K. Galanakis, MD,
chief of Blood Services at Stony Brook University Medical Center, "Less
than five percent of the people in the US who are able to donate actually do
donate."
We welcome the
members of the community to become donors and are extremely grateful to all of
our employees, friends from the community and students who assist our Blood
Bank.
Donation Programs
- Platelet Donations
- Autologous Donations
- For a Patient in Need
- Direct Donations
Blood Donation FAQ's
Who can donate?
- Donors must be
at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
- Donors must be
in good health and feel well on the day of donation.
- All donors must
show a photo ID at the time of donation.
How
often can I donate?
- Whole Blood
donors may donate every 8 weeks or 56 days. There are different waiting times
for other types of donation:
- Platelets-every
3 days.
Is it safe to
give blood?
- Yes! The needle
and bags used to collect the blood are used only once, and then discarded. You
cannot get HIV or other infectious diseases from donating blood.
May I eat
before I donate?
- Yes. It is very
important to drink plenty of fluids and eat a good meal within 4 hours before
donating. It is also important to have a good night's sleep before donating.
What should I
bring with me when I come to donate?
- You must show a
photo ID, such as a Driver's License. In addition, it is helpful if you bring
the following:
- A list of
medications you are taking.
- A list of
places you have visited outside of the U.S. in the past 3 years.
How long does
it take to donate?
- It takes about
an hour to go through the steps to donate Whole Blood and a little longer for
other donation types:
- Registration.
Give us your name, date of birth, address and other demographic information.
- Medical
Screening. Answer confidential medical history questions and have a finger
stick to get a hemoglobin check from a drop of blood. Also have a blood
pressure, temperature and pulse check.
- Blood Donation.
Donate a unit of blood through a needle in your arm which takes about 10
minutes. This step may be longer for different donation types.
- Snacks. Stay 15
minutes after your donation and enjoy refreshments.
Does it hurt?
- There is a
little sting when the needle is inserted, but you should be comfortable during
the donation.
How will I feel
after I donate?
- Most people
feel fine after donation. You will enjoy refreshments after you donate and we
will instruct you to drink plenty of fluids for the next 24 hours.
NOTE: When you donate at the Stony Brook University Medical Center Blood Bank
you receive individualized attention from a registered nurse,
in a personable environment.
Can I exercise
right after donating?
- Avoid strenuous
activity and heavy lifting for about 24 hours after donation. Most donors can
resume normal activity after that time.
Is my blood
tested before it is used?
- Every time you
donate, blood samples are taken for testing. These tests include your blood
type and testing for viruses such as Hepatitis and HIV. If your blood tests
show that your blood may make someone sick, it will not be used and you are
notified.
Why do I have
to answer the same medical history questions every time I donate?
- To make sure
that we are providing the patient with the safest possible blood, the FDA
requires that we ask about your medical history every time you donate.
What blood type
is the universal donor?
- Type O- is the
universal donor and can give red blood cells to any other blood type.
- Type AB+ is the
universal recipient and can receive red blood cells from any other blood type.
- Type AB- is the
universal plasma donor and can give plasma to any other blood type.
What is the
most common blood type?
- This is an
average distribution of the blood types in the United States. The distribution
may be different for specific ethnic groups:
- O Rh-positive -
38 percent
- O Rh-negative -
7 percent
- A Rh-positive -
34 percent
- A Rh-negative -
6 percent
- B Rh-positive -
9 percent
- B Rh-negative -
2 percent
- AB Rh-positive
- 3 percent
- AB Rh-negative
- 1 percent
How much blood
do I have in my body?
- As a rule,
women have approximately 10 pints and men have approximately 12 pints of blood.
What do the
different blood components do?
- Plasma: Fluid portion of blood, contains water, albumin,
hormones and clotting factors.
- Red Cells: Carry oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues in the
body and return carbon dioxide to the lungs.
- White Cells: Protect against disease and infections.
- Platelets:Small plate-shaped cells that cluster together to help
form blood clots when bleeding occurs.
Where does my
blood go after I donate?
- After you
donate, your unit of Whole Blood is divided into different components and
transfused into patients who need the specific component. Some examples of how
your blood is used are:
- Auto Accident: 50 units.
- Heart Surgery: 60 Red Cells, 2 Platelets from Automated Collection.
- Organ
Transplant: 10-40 Red Cells, 5-10 Platelets, 20
Cryoprecipitate, 25 Fresh Frozen Plasma.
- Bone Marrow
Transplant: 20 Red Cells, 25-100 Platelets.
- Burn - 3rd
Degree: 20 Red Blood Cells 20 Platelets.
What blood type
is needed the most?
- All blood types
are needed for blood donation. We often have requests for the following:
- All donation
types - Whole Blood and Platelets.
- AB donors -
Plasma.
- O, A and B
donors - Red Cells.
Does the Stony
Brook Blood University Blood Bank pay donors?
- The Stony Brook
University Blood Bank depends on the generosity of volunteer donors. Since
studies have shown that the safest blood comes from volunteer donors.
Make a Blood Bank Appointment
Stony Brook University Blood Bank is located on the 5th Floor of the University Hospital.
The Blood Bank is open six days a week.
Appointments are available on Weekdays, Weeknights, and Saturday mornings.
Stony Brook University Medical Center Blood Bank is open 6 days a week as follows:
Monday-Friday 7:45am-8pm
Saturday 8:45am-4pm
To make an appointment simply call us at:
631.444.DONATE (631.444.3662)
Life Is Beautiful. Give The Gift Of Life. Please Donate.
Volunteers provide 90% all of the Nation's blood supply. People donate blood out of a sense of duty and community spirit.
Please join us in our mission of encouraging donors to give at least twice per year, to strengthen the Nation's blood supply.
Contact the Blood Bank
Telephone
(631) 444-DONATE (631.444.3662)
Fax
(631) 444-3137
Postal Address
Stony Brook University Blood Bank Level 5 - Suite 5000
Stony Brook, New York 11794-7530
Electronic Mail
Jennifer.Peace@stonybrook.edu
