General Questions
Where do I give blood?
You can give blood at one of our many off-site mobile blood drive locations. View current schedule.
Or you can donate at LG Health’s Blood Donor Center located at the Suburban Pavilion.
LG Health’s Blood Donor Center
2104 Harrisburg Pike, Suite 202
Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: 717-544-0170
Hours:
Monday: 10 am - 7:30 pm
Wednesday and Friday: 8 am - 6 pm
To schedule an appointment at the donor center call 717-544-0170 and choose option #1, or schedule through our Classes and Events page.
What does the blood donation process involve?
Medical Questionnaire: When you arrive to donate blood, you will fill out a health history form about your past illnesses and medications you are taking. This will be reviewed by a nurse.
Mini Physical: The nurse will check your pulse, hematocrit, blood pressure, and temperature.
Donating: After you’ve been cleared to donate, you will spend 10–12 minutes in a comfortable reclining chair while blood is drawn from a vein in your arm into a bag.
- 6 extra tubes of blood are collected and sent to our lab for screening
- 1 tube is used to test your platelet count
- 4 tubes are used to screen your blood for infectious diseases and to type your blood and antibodies
- The final tube is stored for 72 hours. It is available if additional testing is needed.
- After donation, blood volume begins replacing itself within hours.
A computer clears all tests in current and previous donations. A label is printed with the blood type and expiration date. Blood lasts for 42 days.
48-72 hours after the donation, the blood is available to be used by Lancaster General Health. Whole blood has a shelf life of 42 days.
What does blood type mean and why is it important?
Although all blood is made of the same basic elements, not all blood is alike. In fact, there are eight different common blood types, which are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens – substances that can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body. Since some antigens can trigger a patient's immune system to attack the transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching.
- O+ and A+ are the most common blood types and are most often needed.
- Because O- is the "universal donor," this blood type is frequently needed.
- When separated into components, one unit of whole blood can save the lives of up to three people.
Are there any requirements for donating blood?
To be eligible to donate blood a person must be 16, be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. While approximately 50% of the population is eligible to donate blood, only about 5% do so. You can donate one pint of blood every 8 weeks.