Eligible Donors
To donate blood you must be at least 16 years of age (with a parental consent form) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Anyone that is not displaying any signs of an illness is able to donate. Donors will need a student ID, driver's license, or donor card. If you recently received a tattoo or piercing from a licensed Wisconsin parlor, you are able to donate blood.
For questions about your eligibility to donate, please call: 1-866-236-3276 for the American Red Cross or 1-888-310-7555 for the Blood Center of Wisconsin.
Blood Donation Facts1. 500,000 Americans donated blood in the days following the events of September 11th.
2. Someone needs blood every two seconds.
3. 37% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood – less than 10% do annually.
4. About one in seven people entering a hospital need blood. Females receive 53% of blood transfusions; males receive 47%.
5. 42 days: how long most donated red blood cells can be stored.
6. Five days: how long most donated platelets can be stored.
7. If all blood donors gave three times a year, blood shortages would be a rare event (The current average is about two).
8. Ten pints: the amount of blood in the body of an average adult.
9. Blood makes up about 7% of your body's weight.
10. Newborn babies have about one cup of blood in their bodies.
VolunteerEvery drive, volunteers are needed at the registration table and in the canteen area. Check out our
volunteers page for more information or to sign up.
Skip to main content
