How to donate blood in Lakeland, FL

Whether you’re an avid donor or looking to give back for the first time, donating blood is a simple yet effective way to give back to the community + make a positive impact on local lives.

The entire process is not only safe, but pretty painless, too.🩸

Places to donate blood around Lakeland

• American Red Cross, 147 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven | You can complete day-of paperwork online via RapidPass to save time.
• BPL Plasma, 5252 E. Fowler Ave., Temple Terrace | Check out the new donors page for more information about getting started + what to expect.
• CSL Plasma, 2041 George Jenkins Blvd. | Donors may be eligible for rewards.
• OneBlood, Multiple Locations | Visit one of the designated donor centers or check out the list of traveling blood drives to donate.

Here’s what you need to do

• Read up on the requirements for donating blood to see if you are eligible to give blood.
• If you’re ready, book a visit online (walk-ins are also accepted).
• You’ll be asked to complete a Blood Donor History Questionnaire to fasttrack your appointment. No worries if you can’t get to it ahead of time, you can always complete it on site if that works better for you.
• When you arrive to donate blood, expect a short physical (temperature, pulse + blood pressure check, and a small finger prick to check your hemoglobin levels).
• If you’re cleared to donate, sit back and relax — it’ll be over before you know it.

Things to remember

• Eat a hearty meal beforehand + give yourself an hour to digest.
• Drink an extra 16 oz of room temperature water prior to your donation in order to prep your veins. Make sure to continue drinking extra water after donating.
• Avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day.
• Incorporate iron rich foods into your meals after donating.
• Eating + drinking properly beforehand will help prevent passing out. However, if you do pass out, you are in the care of well-trained nurses who will look after you.

Fun + bloody facts

• People with type O- blood are universal blood donors, but only 7% of the population has O- blood. Learn more about your blood type.
• There are about 10 pints of blood in your body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation — it can take between a couple hours to a few weeks in order to replenish that amount.
• A blood donation can save up to three lives, but less than 38% of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets.

If you can’t donate blood, don’t sweat it. Check out other ways to give back in Lakeland.

*Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive resource for donating blood. Please do your research beforehand and speak with your doctor before donating.