As a blood donor, there are certain steps you can take to help make your donation experience as safe, successful and pleasant as possible. Here are a few recommendations.

Before Your Donation

• Get a good night's sleep.
• Eat a good breakfast or lunch.
• Drink extra water and fluids to replace the volume you will donate, but avoid caffeinated beverages.
• Eat iron-rich foods to boost your iron level.
• Avoid fatty foods. Tests for infections done on donated products can be affected by fatty materials.
• If you are an automated donor, get plenty of calcium-rich foods and drinks for a few days prior to your donation.
• If you are a platelet donor, remember that your system must be free of aspirin for two days prior to donation.

During Your Donation

• Let the phlebotomist know if you have a preferred arm.
• Relax and think about the people you are helping!

After Your Donation

• Drink plenty of fluids over the next 24-48 hours to replenish what you lost during donation.
• Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for several hours.
• If you feel light-headed, lie down with your feet up.
• If for any reason, something doesn't feel right, call the American Red Cross toll-free number provided to you after your donation.
• Enjoy the feeling of knowing you helped save lives!