Blood cannot be manufactured, only donated. Every three seconds someone, somewhere needs blood. Yet, less than 4% of the population volunteers to donate blood, so it’s easy to see why donations are so urgently needed every day. Donors like you are the only source for this precious commodity. 

Q: How much blood do we need?

A: The Community Blood Bank relies on donors to donate approximately 550 units a week to maintain an adequate supply for the region. Donated blood is used for traumas, surgeries, burns, cancer and other illnesses. The need for blood is there 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Q: Who needs blood?

A: Donated blood provides life support treatment to accident/trauma victims, surgical patients and to patients who are receiving treatment for cancer, leukemia, hemophilia and other diseases. You can be assured that your donation WILL help save a life.

Q: Who may donate blood?

A: Donors must be at least 17 years of age, be in good general health and weigh at least 110 pounds. You may not donate blood if you have had:  Hepatitis, current active disease of the heart, lung, kidney, liver or stomach, cancer, or habituation to injectable drugs.

You may be temporarily deferred if you had close contact with hepatitis in the past 12 months, tattoos or body-piercing in the past 12 months, major surgery or blood transfusion, and pregnancy in the past six weeks. 

If you have traveled outside the United States, there may also be a time limit. Please consult the Community Blood Bank at 333-6444 or 322-7111 for more information.

You can safely donate blood every 56 days.

Community Blood Bank bloodmobiles travel throughout eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and northwest Iowa every week. To host a community or organizational blood drive, please call (877) 877-3070.

Q: What do I need to do before and after I donate?

A: Make sure you eat and drink plenty of fluids. Your body responds to the loss of one pint of blood by signaling your bone marrow to go to work making new red blood cells. Your red cell level will be back to normal in a few weeks. The liquid portion of your blood will be back to normal in less than 24 hours. Eat a good meal and drink a little more water than you normally would.

Q: What happens when I donate?

A: You will be asked to supply some basic information, including your name, address, age and social security number. A short medical history is taken. Your pulse, temperature, iron and blood pressure will also be checked. The actual donation process takes just seven to ten minutes. After you donate, you will have plenty of time to rest and enjoy refreshments. You can then resume full activities.

Q: What happens to my blood after donation?

A: Your blood will be tested for blood type. At least eight different tests will be conducted on your blood. Then it is processed into different components with each one helping a different patient. Up to five different patients may benefit from your donation. If this was your first donation you should receive your Community Blood Bank Donor Card in about two weeks.