Community Blood Bank logo

Donation Information

Find a Location

Giving Blood Saves Lives

Blood is needed each day in the United States to sustain the lives of patients in need. Whether used for surgery, traumas, during cancer treatment or other life-threatening medical conditions, blood is used to provide hope.

There are many blood suppliers in the country. Community Blood Bank is a jointly-shared resource between Avera and Sanford Health systems, completely independent of other blood bank organizations.

Donor Eligibility / General Guidelines

Thank you for considering a blood donation with Community Blood Bank. Listed below are the general requirements for donating blood.

  • Donors must provide personal photo identification, such as a Driver’s License, State ID Card, Student ID, Employee ID, etc.
  • You must be at least sixteen (16) years of age or older. (If you are 16, you must have a signed parental consent form.) English | Spanish
  • You must weigh 110 pounds or more.
  • There are certain vaccinations that may require you to wait to donate blood.
    • You must wait 28 days to donate after receiving a Hepatitis B vaccination.
    • It’s okay to donate after allergy shots or vaccinations for influenza, COVID-19 and tetanus.
    • See a full listing of immunizations.
  • There are different time restrictions based on your last donation.
    • You must wait at least fifty-six (56) days since your last whole blood donation
    • You must wait at least sixteen (16) weeks since your last automated double red cell donation.
    • You can safely donate whole blood three (3) days after donating plasma and seven (7) days after donating apheresis platelets

Recommendations for Before and After Donating Blood

  • Eat a good meal within four (4) hours of donating blood.
  • Drink plenty of water or juice before and after donating.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages for twelve (12) hours before and after donating.
  • Avoid caffeine, especially energy drinks, before donating.
  • Avoid strenuous activities for four (4) hours after donating

Temporary Reasons People Must Wait to Donate

You must wait three (3) months from the time of procedure.
Your iron, or hemoglobin, level must be at 12.5 for women and 13 for men. Read more about iron levels and find out more about iron-rich foods that can help you get your iron levels up.
  • Not feeling well: Wait until one (1) day after feeling well with no symptoms.
  • Cold, Influenza, Respiratory infection, COVID-19: Wait three (3) days after symptoms have fully cleared before donating.
  • Cancer: You are okay to donate after curative treatment for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers once the area has fully healed. For most other cancers, it is okay to donate one (1) year after completion of all treatment. (Note exceptions under Permanent Reasons People Cannot Donate.)
  • Diabetes: It is okay to donate if your disease is controlled by medication or diet.
  • High Blood Pressure: It’s okay to donate if controlled, with pressures no higher than 180/100.
  • Low Blood Pressure: It’s okay to donate if pressures are no lower than 90/50 (with special consideration for athletes).
  • Pregnancy: It’s okay to donate six (6) weeks after the end of the pregnancy (post-partum).
  • Pulse: Your pulse must be between 50 and 100 to donate. You cannot donate if your pulse is more than 100.
  • Surgical Procedures: You must wait three (3) to six (6) weeks after surgery, depending on type of surgery and recovery. You must be completely healed with any stitches/staples removed, discharged from a doctor’s care, and feeling well and healthy. You must wait three (3) months after receiving a blood transfusion.
Questions Call the Community Blood Bank office (605-331-3222) with any questions. See a complete listing of medical conditions.
  • See the FDA’s list of medications that will prevent you from donating.
  • You cannot donate if you currently taking antibiotics for infection.
    • You may donate the next day after taking your last dose of antibiotics and no symptoms are present.
    • It’s okay to donate if taking antibiotics for the prevention of infection, such as before going to the dentist.
  • It’s okay to donate if taking vitamins, birth control, or medications for allergies, blood pressure, thyroid replacement, female hormones, anxiety, depression, high cholesterol, and most diabetes medications, including injections.
  • Please call the Community Blood Bank office (605-331-3222) with any questions regarding medications that are not listed.
You must wait for at least three (3) months before donating blood if you:
  • Have tested positive for syphilis or gonorrhea (wait period starts after end of treatment)
  • Have had sex with someone who has Hepatitis B or symptomatic Hepatitis C (wait period starts after last contact)
  • Have received money or drugs for sex (wait period starts after the last event)
  • Have had sex with anyone who has taken money or drugs in exchange for sex (wait period starts after the last event)
  • Have had sex with anyone who has ever used needles to inject anything that wasn’t prescribed by a doctor (wait period starts after the last event)
  • Have had sex in the last three (3) months with new and/or multiple partners (wait period starts after last contact)
  • Have had sexual contact with new partner and have had anal sex
 
Inclusivity
In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration, which governs blood banks nationwide, updated their policy regarding blood donor eligibility in regards to HIV risk. They developed a set of risk-based questions that are the same for every donor, regardless of sexual orientation, sex or gender.

According to the FDA, “This policy eliminates time-based deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with MSM. Under the final guidance issued today, all prospective blood donors will answer a series of individual, risk-based questions to determine eligibility. All prospective donors who report having a new sexual partner, or more than one sexual partner in the past three months, and anal sex in the past three months, would be deferred to reduce the likelihood of donations by individuals with new or recent HIV infection who may be in the window period for detection of HIV by nucleic acid testing.”

The FDA has determined through scientific data that this change will not compromise the safety or adequacy of the U.S. blood supply. Those donors with a higher risk of getting HIV will continue to be deferred.

What does this mean for donors? All potential donors will be asked if they have had new and/or multiple sexual partners in the last three months. If the answer is yes, then they will be asked if they have had anal sex in the last three months. If that answer is yes, they will be required to wait three months after the last event before donating blood.

Emphasis is placed on anal sex because statistically, the chance for HIV transmission is significantly higher with anal sex, compared to vaginal or oral sex, and multiple partners also increase that risk. Donors will NOT be asked about condom use, because condoms are not always effective.

The FDA also implemented gender-neutral questions, so that all donors get asked the same exact questions, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. This is not because of political correctness, but to be as inclusive as possible while maintaining an adequate and safe blood supply.
Certain tattoos and skin modifications require a wait period before you may donate.
  • Ear Cartilage or Earlobe Piercing: It’s okay to donate if the piercing was performed with a single-use device. If not, you must wait three (3) months before donating.
  • Body Piercing and/or Alteration: It’s okay to donate if the procedure was performed in a state-licensed facility in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, or Nebraska. If not, you must wait three (3) months before donating.
  • Tattoo: It’s okay to donate if the procedure was performed in a state-licensed facility in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, or Nebraska and your skin is fully healed. Otherwise, you must wait three (3) months from the date of application before donating.
  • Microblading: You must wait three (3) months after the procedure before donating.
  • You must wait three (3) months before donating following travel to malaria risk areas as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you were a resident in a malaria risk area, you must wait three (3) years from entering the United States before donating.
  • The restrictions for Mad Cow Disease (vCJD) have been lifted, so those who have spent time in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and the rest of Europe are now eligible to donate blood.

Permanent Reasons People Cannot Donate

You are unable to donate blood if:

  • You have ever had a positive test for HIV/AIDS.
  • You have the medical condition Hemophilia, or other clotting disorders.
  • You have had viral Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.
  • You have had melanoma, multiple myeloma, lymphoma (including Hodgkin’s), leukemia, or other blood cancers.
  • You have tested positive for Babesiosis.
  • You have dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.
  • You have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
  • You have Multiple Sclerosis.
  • You have Sickle Cell Disease.

Please call the Community Blood Bank office (605-331-3222) with any questions regarding other medical conditions.

Donation Process

Registration
  • Present your photo ID.
  • Give your address and phone number.
  • If you are 16 years old, provide a parental consent form. (English | Spanish)
  • Hydrate. Please refrain from drinking caffeine and energy drinks until after you have donated.
Interview
  • Enter the rear door of the bloodmobile, where a staff member will greet you and ask you to go into the interview room.
  • You will be asked questions about your health.
  • You will receive a mini-physical, with checks including pulse, temperature, and blood pressure.
  • You will have your iron (hemoglobin) checked from a small drop of blood taken from your fingertip.
Donate Blood
  • A staff member will place a blood pressure cuff on your arm above the elbow.
  • Your arm will be cleaned and sanitized.
  • Your blood is collected. Relax and enjoy saving a life!

You will donate about one pint of blood (495ml). This usually takes between five to seven minutes. Your donation will save up to three patients’ lives within your community.

Let our staff know if you have any questions during the donation.

Refreshments

Take some time to sit, relax and enjoy a snack and a beverage before you leave.

After Your Donation

Most people feel fine after donating blood, but use these tips to treat your body well after donating to save lives.

  • Drink more fluids than you would normally, since it helps your body replenish the fluid loss of the donated blood (within 24 hours).
  • Eat well after you donate.
  • Do not smoke for 30 minutes and avoid smoking areas.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol for at least twelve (12) hours.
  • Avoid strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting for about four (4) hours.
  • Leave the bandage on your arm for two (2) hours to protect your skin from infection.
  • If there is bleeding from the puncture site, raise your arm and apply pressure.
  • If you feel light-headed after donating, sit down and/or stop what you are doing and wait until you feel better before continuing. Elevate your legs if possible.

If you feel unwell after donating, follow these guidelines:

  • If driving, pull over immediately and stop.
  • Lie down.
  • Loosen your collar or neckwear.
  • If possible, seek a cool place and drink cool liquids.

First-time donors: a couple of weeks after your donation, you will receive a card in the mail with your blood type. You can use this card to track your donations. However, if you forget the card at your next donation, you are still able to donate. The card is just for your information.

Please contact either blood bank below if for some reason you do not want your donation to be used or you become ill within 48 hours.

If you experience significant arm pain that lasts 24 hours or more, or have other medical questions or concerns related to your donation, call either donor room at the numbers above, or for after hours, contact:

If you would like to know when you are eligible to donate again, just use this handy calculator: https://whencanigiveblood.com
Community Blood Bank collects blood donations as “whole blood.” After donation, the blood is separated into its three components, which can be used in various situations to save lives.
  • Platelets – Controls bleeding as a clotting agent
  • Plasma – Promotes clotting and provides nutrients to the body
  • Red Blood Cells – Carries oxygen throughout the body
If you are % of U.S. You can give to  You can receive from
 O+ 37% O+, A+, B+, AB+ O+, O-
A+ 34% A+, AB+ A+, A-, O+, O-
B+ 10% B+, AB+ B+, B-, O+, O-
AB+ 3% AB+ Everyone
O- 7% Everyone O-
A- 6% A+, A-, AB+, AB- B-, O-
B- 2% B+, B-, AB+, AB- B-, O-
AB- 1% AB+, AB- AB-, A-, B-, O-
We need up to 550 units of blood every week to meet the needs of our local hospitals.
Plasma – can be frozen and stored for up to one (1) year to help
  • Burn victims
  • Cardiac surgery patients
  • Liver transplant recipients
  • People with bleeding or immune disorders
  • People suffering from shock
Platelets – shelf life of seven (7) days to help:
  • Burn victims
  • Cancer and leukemia patients
  • Cardiac surgery patients
  • Organ and bone marrow transplant recipients
  • People with bleeding disorders
Red Blood Cells – shelf life of forty-two (42) days to help:
  • Cancer patients
  • Premature babies
  • Surgical and trauma patients
  • People with anemia, kidney disease and sickle cell

Ready to Donate?

Find a Location

Questions?

If you have questions regarding blood donation, call us at 605-331-3222, or
email Lauri Hoffmann, Program Coordinator: lauri.hoffmann@sanfordhealth.org.