If you spend time outdoors or up north during Wisconsin summers, then you probably know about deer ticks. Their bites can be a nuisance for people and pets, and some deer ticks carry Lyme disease and Babesia. 

Babesia infects red blood cells and causes Babesiosis, which can be a severe, life-threatening disease in infants, elderly, people with weak immune systems and other serious health conditions. While many people who carry Babesia feel fine and show no effects, others can develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, nausea and fatigue. 

Wisconsin is a prime spot for deer ticks, along with Minnesota and the northeast part of the United States. Babesia is the most commonly documented cause of transfusion-transmitted infection. Summer, and in particularly July, is when most cases of Babesia are reported.

Red blood cells can be stored for 42 days before it expires and must be destroyed. Plasma can be frozen for up to 12 months. Platelets must be transfused within 5 days of being donated.

Yes, donating blood is completely safe. You cannot contract any diseases from donating blood. A sterile kit is used once to collect your blood and is then thrown away. Versiti is committed to the safety of our donors.

Yes. The blood supply is the safest it’s ever been, especially since the implementation of nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT). NAT is a more sensitive gene-based test used to screen blood for HIV and hepatitis B and C. Fifteen tests (including 11 for infectious diseases) are performed on each unit of donated blood to ensure its safety for patients.

After we collect your blood, it is sent to Versiti labs for testing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all donated blood undergo a series of lab tests before it is given to patients. We perform 15 separate tests on each unit of donated blood, which includes tests for sexually transmitted diseases, West Nile virus, hepatitis and other illnesses. If a unit of blood passes all these tests, it is safe for patients.

Effective March 20, 2022, masks will not be required in our donor centers due to lower COVID cases in our communities and current CDC recommendations. Masks may be required at a community blood drive if located in a facility that requires them or per host request.

There is no wait period for receiving a COVID vaccination.

As of April 4, 2021 Versiti will stop testing for the COVID Antibody on blood donations due to improved COVID rates across our communities and increased access to vaccinations.  

The donation process itself poses no risk of infecting a donor with coronavirus. If you’d like to donate blood, you are able to as long as you’ve been symptom free for 10 days. We are monitoring and adhering to guidance from the FDA. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Yes. The following forms of identification with a photo and birth date are acceptable:

• Driver’s license
• State-issued ID
• Student ID card
• Passport, visa or green card

The process for donating whole blood takes about an hour from the time you walk in the door to the time you leave. This includes registration, a brief medical screening, blood collection and refreshments. 

Collecting one unit of whole blood only takes about 10 minutes; however, you can expect to spend more time donating products like red cells, platelets and plasma (also known as apheresis procedures).

All donated blood products undergo a series of tests to ensure they are safe for patients to receive and are typically available for use 24-48 hours following donation. Whole blood is separated into components (red cells, platelets and plasma) and after processing, the red cells can be stored for 42 days. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to 12 months. Platelets expire after 5 days.

Donating blood does not hurt, though you might feel a pinch when the needle first goes into your arm. In that moment, think about the patients you're helping who rely on the generosity of people like you to feel healthy. You may experience discomfort for a few seconds, but you'll have the lasting reward of knowing you saved a life. 

Nearly 30 states (including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) permit 16-year-olds to donate blood with consent from a parent/guardian. These donors must be in good health and meet the minimum criteria to donate. Please refer to the height and weight chart to verify donor eligibility. By becoming a blood donor, your son or daughter shows great civic responsibility, maturity and community pride.

View or download donor forms like the Medication Deferral List, Parental Consent Form, and educational resources from our Resources Library.

Most medications will not defer you from donating blood. Before you make an appointment, however, check our medication deferral list.

If you are currently taking antibiotics for an infection, you will be eligible to donate two days after your course of treatment is complete.

View or download donor forms like the Medication Deferral List, Parental Consent Form, and educational resources from our Resources Library.

Pregnant women are not eligible to donate blood - your body needs all the nutrients it can get! We recommend speaking with your doctor at your 6-week postpartum appointment to verify whether or not it is OK for you to start donating blood again.

Women who are breastfeeding are eligible to donate. Most nursing mothers say that eating a healthy meal before donating and staying hydrated before, during and after helps ensure a successful donation.

There is no wait period for receiving a COVID vaccination.

The short answer is yes. There are some exceptions that may defer you from donating, including:

• If you have traveled to an area affected by malaria in the past year, we ask that you wait three months from the time you returned home before donating blood. 
• If you have ever had malaria, you must be symptom-free for three years.

View or download donor forms like the Medication Deferral List, Parental Consent Form, and educational resources from our Resources Library.

Nearly 30 states (including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio) have permitted blood donations from 16-year-old donors and many have been accepting those donors for years.

View or download donor forms like the Medication Deferral List, Parental Consent Form, and educational resources from our Resources Library.

Get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy meal and stay hydrated before, during and after your appointment.

View or download donor forms like the Medication Deferral List, Parental Consent Form, and educational resources from our Resources Library.

Time restrictions between blood donations are placed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for your safety. You can donate the following:

• Whole blood: every 56 days (8 weeks)
• Red cells: every 112 days (16 weeks)
• Platelets: every 14 days (2 weeks)
• Plasma: every 28 days (4 weeks)

You can donate whole blood every 56 days or eight weeks, up to six times per year.

As long as your tattoo or piercing has healed and was done in a state-licensed facility, you are able to donate blood. If it was not done at a state-licensed facility or has not healed, a three-month waiting period is required before you are eligible to donate blood.

People of all genders and sexual orientations may be eligible to donate under the 2023 FDA guidelines if eligibility criteria are met. Learn more.

There are a few additional conditions that may prevent you from donating, including:

• Receiving any blood transfusions in the last three months.
• A history of hepatitis B or C
• High risk for HIV/AIDS
• If you've ever taken Tegison
• If you used needles to take anything not prescribed by your physician in the past 3 months.

The following forms of ID with a birth date and photo will be accepted:

• Driver’s license
• State-issued ID card
• Student identification card
• Passport, visa or green card

Parental consent forms for 16-year-old donors in Indiana and Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin are available from staff at all blood drives and donor centers. High school blood drives will receive copies of consent forms from a Versiti donor recruiter prior to the scheduled drive.

View or download donor forms like the Medication Deferral List, Parental Consent Form, and educational resources from our Resources Library.

Individuals aged 17 and older who are in good health and not experiencing symptoms of cold or flu may donate blood. Donors who are 16 years old may donate but must have parent/guardian permission. There is no maximum age for donation.

Donors must weigh at least 110 lbs to donate.* Donors aged 16-18 have special height and weight requirements, view the chart for more information.

According to state statutes, parental consent is required for 16-year-olds, but not 17-year-olds. Some schools require parental consent forms for 17-year-old donors, but Versiti is not required by law to collect parental consent from 17-year-olds. 

This is a volunteer opportunity like no other. Versiti is the only provider of blood to the community hospitals where you live and work. Medical technology has provided many life-saving discoveries over the years, but there is still no substitute for blood. In a medical emergency, often the most important element is the availability of blood.

Your blood donation can help:

• Trauma victims
• Surgery patients
• Premature babies
• People with anemia

Under the 2023 FDA guidance eligibility will be based on the new guidelines that consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of sexual orientation. So if you have been deferred for having sex with a man in the past that deferral is terminated and you are eligible to donate if you meet all current criteria.

Yes. If your permanent deferral was because of MSM contact, you may be eligible to donate now.

Yes, if you have been with your partner more than three months. Under the 2023 FDA guidance eligibility will be based on the new guidelines that consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of sexual orientation

Unfortunately, no, the FDA guidance does not allow us to consider condom use. While an excellent sexual health practice, condom use isn’t included as an evidence-based method of screening donors because condoms are not always effective and can break or slip. The new screening questions are not comprehensive in asking about safe sexual practices, such as condom use, that can effectively mitigate the risk of acquiring HIV.   The updated questions are designed to be applied as broadly as possible to screen a large number of potential donors and identify the possibility of new exposures to certain viruses within the window period of testing platforms.

Yes. Under the 2023 FDA guidance eligibility will be based on the new guidelines that consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Yes. Under the 2023 FDA guidance eligibility will be based on the new guidelines that consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation

Donor eligibility criteria for transgender donors aren’t affected by whether or not you’ve had any kind of gender-affirmation surgery.

There is no deferral for HRT that has been prescribed to you by a physician. However, if you are taking acne medication to treat side effects of testosterone HRT, you may be deferred. Check the medication deferral list  to confirm your eligibility.

Yes. Every donated unit of blood, platelets and plasma undergoes rigorous testing for a number of infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis and more. If a unit of blood passes these tests, it is considered safe for patients.

No. If you are currently taking medication to prevent HIV infection (such as PreP, PEP, Truvada, Descovy, Apretude) you are not eligible to donate. Those who take oral PrEP or PEP are deferred from donation for three months from their most recent use. For those who have received PrEP by injection, the deferral is two years from the most recent injection. These medications are important to sexual health. If you are currently taking medication to prevent HIV infection you should not stop the medication for the purpose of donating blood.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective medication regimen used for HIV prevention.   In people taking PrEP or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), low levels of HIV may be missed by current testing methods. The blood community relies on accurate HIV testing as part of its multilayered approach to safety. There needs to be more research on how PrEP and PEP affect HIV testing

There are lots of ways to get involved in Versiti’s lifesaving mission, including:

• Hosting a blood drive in your community
• Joining the organ and tissue donor registry
• Volunteering your time
• Making a financial gift toward lifesaving research
• Becoming a community partner

Low blood counts can have a number of causes and they vary between women and men.

Causes for low blood count in women:

The most common cause of low blood count in women who are premenopausal, is iron deficiency caused by menstrual blood loss. Women of childbearing age have high iron requirements because of the extra iron needed for menstruation and pregnancy. Eating iron-rich foods may be sufficient to correct iron deficiency in some individuals; however, some women will need to take oral iron supplements in order to increase their blood count enough to donate blood. 

If you are a post-menopausal woman and not donating three or more times per year, your blood count may still be within the normal range for women, but not high enough to donate blood. Please note that the lower end of normal range for non-African-American women is 11.3 gm/dl and for African-American women is 10.5 gm/dl. If the test performed today indicated that your blood count is below normal range, you may need to see your personal physician for further testing to determine the cause of your low blood count.

Causes for low blood count in men:

If you are not donating three or more times per year, your deferral today indicates that you may have a medical condition which is causing your low blood count.  In men, a blood count below 13 gm/dl is considered anemic. Your personal physician can perform additional testing to confirm the cause of your low blood count and determine its cause.

Taking an iron tablet can be beneficial in helping to replace the iron lost in the process of donating blood. Multivitamins with iron generally contain small amounts of iron, but can be sufficient if taken daily. There are also a number of stronger oral iron pills available over the counter at most drug stores. These pills replace the lost iron more rapidly and are generally less expensive than multivitamins. If you choose to take an oral iron tablet, your physician or pharmacist can provide more specific information about the advantages and disadvantages of different oral iron supplements, and help you decide which may be best for you.

A low blood count is the most common reason that potential donors are not able to donate (deferral). The blood taken prior to donation provides a hemoglobin value. You were deferred because your blood count (hemoglobin value) was below the lower limit of acceptability to donate, which is 13 gm/dl for men, and 12.5 gm/dl for women.

No! Hemoglobin is the protein that functions within red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Iron is an essential mineral important for the structure and function of hemoglobin and several other proteins in the body. 

No, if the iron supplementation is taken as recommended.

Approximately 6 months or more with a healthy diet. 1-2 months with an iron supplement.

Yes. Replace iron loss by taking an oral iron supplement daily for 60 days immediately following your blood donation. We recommend taking an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement or multivitamin containing 18mg of elemental iron per day.

Your hemoglobin level tells us how many red blood cells are circulating in your body right now, and how much will be left after you donate one unit of blood. 

When iron is measured by ferritin level, it is an indicator of the body’s total iron stores and therefore your capacity to make more red blood cells to replace the ones you’ve donated. 

Ferritin testing must be performed at a laboratory and cannot be performed at the time of your donation. Blood Centers are now evaluating how to utilize this test in assessing a donor’s ability to be a frequent blood donor.

It is important to keep a healthy iron level so your body can build new red blood cells daily and also replace those you donate. Iron is also important for normal growth and development, energy level
and brain function.

Your body will replace the fluid portion of your blood within 24 hours. It will take a few weeks to replace the red blood cells.   

Approximately six months or more with a healthy diet, or one to two months with an iron supplement.

Replace iron loss by taking an oral iron supplement daily for 60 days immediately following your blood donation. We recommend taking an over-the-counter supplement or multivitamin containing 18mg of elemental iron per day. 

Most people feel fine after donating blood (having a snack helps - seriously!). Your body constantly makes new blood and the fluid you give will be replaced within hours. Eating a full meal before you donate will help you feel strong afterword. Drinking water and juice before and after donating also helps your body replenish lost fluids.

 Avoid strenuous activity for 12 hours after donating. If you are donating at a blood drive at your place of employment and have a hazardous or strenuous job, we recommend donating at the end of your shift.  

Minimally, if at all. Plasma donation feels similar to a regular blood donation.

No. FDA regulations prohibit paying blood donors since the blood collected directly benefits patients in hospitals through transfusions. Plasma centers that compensate their contributors can do so because every contributor’s plasma is pooled and manufactured into medications and distributed globally. In contrast, blood donations at Versiti impact your local community.

• Get rest
• Drink fluids
• Eat a healthy meal
• Download the app to speed up your questionnaire and to easily schedule your next appointment
• Download a podcast, audio book or movie to enjoy during your donation

The actual process only takes about 20-25 minutes, but you can expect to spend about an hour and a half with us. That means you can…

• Catch up on your TV shows
• Read a book
• Sit back and relax

You can donate plasma every 4 weeks. All blood types can donate plasma, but AB types are the universal plasma donors. Only 3% of the U.S. population have it.

Plasma is a liquid part of blood that carries proteins, hormones and other nutrients throughout the body. It is the biggest blood component, making up 55% of your total blood volume. A healthy supply of plasma in the body:

• Protects from infection
• Helps maintain a healthy blood pressure
• Promotes clotting when you get a cut

• Feel good about giving back? Tell the world and encourage others on social. Spread the word on social with #SaveLivesDonatePlasma and tag @versiti
• Relax and enjoy a yummy snack
• Schedule your next donation
• Drink lots of fluids and avoid alcohol
• You’ve earned a break - avoid vigorous exercise for the rest of the day

• Check-in: Bring verification of your identity — a driver’s license, donor ID card or government-issued ID card
• Health questionnaire and initial screening
• Get settled in your comfy donation chair
• The phlebotomist will give you a quick stick
• A process called apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) uses a slow, steady and sophisticated machine to take the plasma out of your blood and give you back the other components through the same arm
• Before you know it, your donation is over
• You will get snacks and a drink for post-donation pick-me-up

Nearly 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S. – and nearly 4 million a year. Your plasma donations go to:

• Transplant recipients
• Burn and Trauma patients
• Cancer warriors
• Patients with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders

Platelet donations are a special type of blood donation. Our blood is made up of different parts, also called components: red cells, plasma, and platelets. Of the three, platelets are considered a precious resource – not only do they make up a small fraction of our blood, but platelets only last for five to seven days outside of the body. That means when a donor gets up after their donation, the platelets they leave behind will be used by a patient in a local hospital within the week.

All you have to do is make an appointment at one of our donor centers!

Platelets can be donated up to 24 times a year, and we usually ask donors to wait two weeks between appointments. The small percentage of platelets that you donate will be quickly replenished by your body.

Platelet donations are a special type of blood donation. Our blood is made up of different parts, also called components: red cells, plasma, and platelets. Of the three, platelets are considered a precious resource – not only do they make up a small fraction of our blood, but platelets only last for 5-7 days outside of the body. That means when a donor gets up after their donation, the platelets they leave behind will be used by a patient in a local hospital within the week.

Platelets can live for 5-7 days outside the body.

Donors of all blood types are encouraged to donate! Donors give platelets through a process called apheresis, which we explain in another section below.

Anyone who has ever been pregnant is encouraged to offer up their arm for a regular blood donation (called a ‘whole blood’ donation) and let staff know they’re interested in donating platelets. A small sample of blood will be taken for testing to see if they’re eligible. The reasoning behind this is that certain antibodies can develop during pregnancy that are harmful if transfused into certain patients. Unfortunately, these antibodies are present forever, so if a donor tests positive for them they will be unable to donate platelets. That being said, those donors are still eligible to donate other components!

Anyone who has ever been pregnant is encouraged to offer up their arm for a regular blood donation (called a ‘whole blood’ donation) and let staff know they’re interested in donating platelets. A small sample of blood will be taken for testing to see if they’re eligible. The reasoning behind this is that certain antibodies can develop during pregnancy that are harmful if transfused into certain patients. Unfortunately, these antibodies are present forever, so if a donor tests positive for them they will be unable to donate platelets. That being said, those donors are still eligible to donate red blood cells!

The easiest way to define apheresis is taking one part of your blood and giving you back the rest. This is the process of giving platelets: blood is collected using a sophisticated machine where platelets are separated from the rest of your blood and the remaining components (such as plasma or red cells) are safely returned to you through the same arm.

As long as you are 17-years-old and meet the minimum requirements for donating whole blood you may be able to donate platelets. Visit the whole blood donation eligibility requirements to learn more.

We reserve 2-hour appointments to ensure enough time for the entire process and you are encouraged to bring a book, watch a movie, or just sit back and relax. Remember: your donation will benefit a local patient within the week!

Just like donating blood, platelet donors will want to get a good night’s sleep on the night leading up to their donation. Unlike donating whole blood, you are required to avoid aspirin for 48 hours before donation, as it will affect the clotting properties of your platelets. We also recommend that donors drink fluids and have a full meal prior to your donation.

Platelets are a component of blood that promotes clotting. They are named after their plate-like shape, and when activated, platelets develop sticky spikes that help them cluster together to seal off cuts and other wounds. Platelets are body’s natural bandages! Many cancer patients rely on platelets throughout the course of their treatment. Nearly 50% of donated platelets are used in patients with a cancer diagnosis. Other platelet recipients include premature babies, trauma victims, and those receiving organ or bone marrow transplants.

Yes! You can feel good knowing that you are donating for most critically ill patients. In addition, first time donors receive fun swag and frequent donors earn exclusive gifts for reaching annual milestone donation levels. Learn more about The Beacon Club Platelets.

No, you are automatically enrolled once you donate or host a drive.

Under Ways to Give, then Beacon Club Loyalty Program.

YES! Employees can participate in The Beacon Club programs, including platelet, Ro, and host programs. The only exception is sweepstakes.  Unfortunately, the official rules prohibit employees from winning.

Please reach out to your states contact center or email us at donormarketing@versiti.org so we can answer your questions and/or send any gifts as part of the programs (gifts are based on program participation and will determine eligibility).

If you did not receive your gallon pin at your last milestone donation, you can ask for it at your next donation, or call you states contact center, or email us at donormarketing@versiti.org with the pin needed.  Pins can take up to 4 weeks to mail to our home once requested via our contact center or email.

At this time, we are only providing gallon pins for the gallon achieved in the current year.

Gallons are now based on units collected.  Your gallons will include your historical Versiti donations and any outside donations from other blood centers (if you have provided us this information).  Versiti products and outside products = your lifetime products.  Lifetime products are then divided by 8 to get your gallon. We use eight (8) pints to equal one (1) gallon.

We feel this is a more accurate representation of your lifetime of donating and the lives you have saved.  Life is precious, donation is vital, and all of your gifts are important.

Simply contact your states contact center and they will update your donor profile.  It may take up to 10 business days for the gallons to update with this new information.

Gallons are the units you provided over your lifetime of donating with Versiti and other blood centers (if you have provided us with this information).  Lifetime donations are the number of visits to a donor center or mobile drive for a completed donation with Versiti only and does not include the units collected or outside donations.

You can find both of these on your Donor Snapshot when you log into the Versiti donor portal or you can call your states contact centers and ask for this information.

No, we will honor the information provided. Life is precious, donation is vital, and all of your gifts are important.

Please reach out to your states contact center or email us at donormarketing@versiti.org so we can discuss and resolve your concern.