Frequency Asked Questions

How Does the Whole-Blood Donation Process Work?

The actual collection of a donor's blood takes anywhere between 20 - 90 minutes (depending on the type of donation), and the entire process takes 1-2 hours (depending on the type of donation). First the volunteer donor will register at the reception area. Next, they will give their medical history to a trained medical screener, who will check their blood pressure, temperature and iron level, to ensure that they are eligible to donate. Next will be the actual donation, followed by a trip to the canteen, where the donor will be provided with refreshments.

Who Can Donate Blood?

If you are in good health, 17 years of age or older, and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, you are most likely eligible to donate blood. There is no upper age limit for blood donors. If you have specific questions regarding eligibility, complete the form below, or contact the Blood Center's donor scheduling department at 610-691-5850.

What Is the Risk of Contracting Any Infectious Disease from Donating Blood?

All medical equipment used in the blood donation process is sterile and used only once. Consequently, there is no risk of acquiring any infectious disease from the blood donation process.

What if My Blood Tests Positive for a Disease?

Miller-Keystone Blood Center performs approximately 13 tests on every unit of donated blood, many of which are for infectious diseases. Should any testing return questionable results, the donor will be confidentially notified by the Blood Center to recommend any follow-up actions.

How Often Can I Donate?

Whole blood donors may donate blood every 56 days. Platelets may be donated on a more regular basis, up to 24 times per year.

How Do I Know if I Am Eligible to Donate? What Might Prevent Me from Donating?

Click here for our General Donor Eligibility Guidelines.

How Often Is Donated Blood Discarded?

Miller-Keystone Blood Center takes our role very seriously, to ensure that donated blood is collected appropriately and managed judiciously. We maintain the proper balance of blood collections with regional usage, and as a result, very little blood collected is discarded. These blood products are lost due to lack of patients with certain blood types in inventory. Blood cannot be used after 42 days in inventory.

Can I Donate My Own Blood for an Upcoming Surgery?

When an individual is informed by their physician a blood transfusion may be needed for an upcoming elective surgery, they can schedule to donate blood for their own use. This is known as an autologous blood donation. This type of self-donation requires a medical request from your doctor, and is coordinated with the Blood Center's Special Collections department.

Can I Donate Blood for a Specific Individual?

If you are a patient, your physician can request directed donations, where you may designate that a specific individual(s) provide the number of blood units requested by your physician. This type of donation is coordinated with the Blood Center's Special Collections department.

If we have not been able to answer your question regarding blood donation, e-mail us and we will answer your question as soon as possible.

Miller-Keystone Blood Center Sole Supplier of Blood to Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Lehigh, Luzerne, Montgomery, Northampton and Schuylkill (PA) and Warren (NJ) counties.

An Independent, Not-For-Profit 501(c)3 community organization, Miller-Keystone Blood Center is an affiliate of Hospital Central Services, Inc.