Centers & Services
Hours
Mon: 8:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.Tues: 8:15 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Weds: 8:15 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Thurs: 7:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Fri: 7:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Blood Donor Center
Quick Links
Autologous donations, where patients store a supply of their own blood in preparation for an upcoming surgical procedure are also done at the Blood Donor Center.
- Between 17 and 70 years old; 16 with parental consent
- In good health;
- At least 110 lbs.;
- You can give blood while taking most medications
AAMC Blood Mobile Program
Each year 3,000 patients at AAMC -- your loved ones, your friends, your neighbors and, maybe even you -- receive life-saving blood transfusions. That’s nearly 7,300 units of blood needed each year in our community. Because there is no substitute for human blood, these patients are counting on caring people like you to donate this precious resource.
AAMC’s Blood Donor Center was established more than 30 years ago to serve the residents of this community. The units donated at AAMC’s Blood Donor Center stay in the community to help the people right here. We are here to make sure everyone receives the “gift of life” when they need it. In addition to the satisfaction of having made a vital contribution, you will receive a free mini-physical when you donate blood.
This includes blood pressure, temperature, and blood iron level (for anemia). We can also provide you with a free cholesterol screening. So you are receiving, as well as giving.
We look forward to expanding our new mobile blood program. Our success is measured by our ability to meet the individual blood needs of every patient in our community. You can help AAMC support this cause by sponsoring a blood drive in your company, church, school, or organization.
It is only through the generosity of donors that adequate supplies of blood products will be assured.
To host a mobile blood drive, please call Alexis Innis at the AAMC Blood Donor Center at
443-481-4272 or our toll free number
1-866-471-HERO
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Basic Requirements for Blood Donation
- Be in generally good health and feel well
- Be 17 - 75 years of age
- Weight at least 110 pounds
Whole blood donors every 56 days
Platelets every 28 days
Immunizations
Polio, mumps, rubeola (a type of measles), smallpox - 2 weeks after immunization
Rubella (a type of measles) - 4 weeks after immunization
Tetanus, diphtheria, flu, Hepatitis B - can donate next day if no reaction present
Other possible Restrictions
Body/ear piercing - 1-year deferral unless piercing was performed with a sterile, single use, disposable, skin piercing needle, a piercing gun or a physician or nurse using a disposable needle and septic technique.
Dental work - cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canal, OK if no infection
Hepatitis exposure - 1 year
Tattoo - 1 year
Travel Restrictions
Malaria Area - can donate after 1 year if in a malaria area.
England - cannot donate if spent time that adds up to 3 months or more in the U.K. from 1980-1996 (England, N. Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands)
Europe - cannot donate if spent time that adds up to 5 yr. or more in European countries since 1980 (including time in the U.K. during 1980-1996) Military - cannot donate if spent 6 months or more in military bases in northern Europe 1980-1990 or Southern Europe 1980-1996
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Medications
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) - may be taken before any blood donation
Acutane - can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Allergy medication - can donate
Antibiotics - 7 days after infection: some are okay for acne
Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin and Naprosyn - ok
Aspirin - ok for whole blood, no aspirin within 36 hours for platelets
Birth control pills - ok to donate
Depression medication - can donate
Diabetic medication
Oral or insulin is okay if condition is stable
Injected bovine (beef) insulin since 1980- cannot donate
Diet pills - can donate
Female hormone pills - can donate
Propecia - can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Proscar - can donate 4 weeks after last dose
Soriatane (Acitretin) - can donate 3 years after last dose
Tegison - cannot donate if ever taken
Thyroid medication - can donate if stabilized
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Medical Conditions
Allergies - can donate if no infection present
Asthma - can donate if no symptoms
Blood disorders or bleeding tendencies - cannot donate
Brain or spinal surgery that required a transplant of brain covering (dura mater) - cannot donate
CJD: donor or donor’s blood relative diagnosed with Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease (CJD) or an increased family risk of CJD - cannot donate
Cancer
Basal cell, squamous cell skin cancers and keratosis - until removed and healed
Melanoma - cannot donate
Colds, fever, flu, sore throat, cough, respiratory infection, headache - cannot donate
Cold sore, fever blister, canker sore - can donate
Diabetes - can donate if stable
Heart Attack - if greater than one year and no symptoms - on no medication for the heart (Aspirin is okay)
Heart Surgery - Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or angioplasty - 1 year after surgery, no symptoms and on no medication for the heart (Aspirin is okay)
Hemochromatosis - can donate
Hepatitis
Hepatitis or undiagnosed jaundice after age 10 - cannot donate
Positive hepatitis test - cannot donate
Herpes (genital) - can donate after lesions clear
Major/minor surgery - can donate after healed and released from physician care.
Pregnancy - 6 weeks after delivery
Stroke - 6 months after if no physical restrictions or medications
Venereal disease
Genital herpes - until all lesions are clear
Chlamydia, genital warts - can donate
Gonorrhea, syphilis and other venereal diseases - 1 year
Individuals at risk for AIDS must not donate blood.
Do not donate blood if you have ever tested positive for HIV or if:
You have ever injected yourself with drugs not prescribed by a physician You are a man and have had sex with another man since 1977, even once
You have hemophilia or blood clotting disorder and received clotting factor concentrates
You have had sex for drugs or money since 1977
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Iron-Rich Foods for Blood Donors
|
FOOD |
SERVING |
AVG. IRON (mg) |
GRAINS |
Bread – White or Whole Wheat |
1 Slice |
0.5 |
MEAT |
Liver |
3 oz |
7 |
MEAT |
Tofu |
4 oz |
2-3 |
|
Watermelon |
6” x ½” slice |
3 |
DRIED FRUIT |
Raisins, Dates, |
½ cup |
3-4 |
JUICES (Canned) |
Prune juice |
¾ cup |
7.4 |
VEGETABLES |
Dark Leafy Greens |
|
|
MISCELLANEOUS |
Molasses |
1 tbsp. |
3.2 |
FAST FOODS |
Pizza (cheese or pepperoni) |
½ of 10” pizza |
4.5-5.4 |
The Blood Donation Process
Deciding to give blood is quite possibly more difficult than the action itself. Anxiety about a new experience and fear of the unknown causes many people to think twice about giving blood.
Be assured: Giving blood is safe and it saves lives. Since the needle is sterile and used only once, it is impossible to contract any disease by donating blood.
To donate you must be at least 17 years old, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. A good meal is recommended prior to your donation. The donation process involves four steps and takes about an hour.
- Registration
You will be asked for your name, address, phone number and Social Security Number. - Medical History and Mini-Physical
A medical interviewer will ask you a series of confidential medical questions to determine your eligibility to donate. Then, your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and iron level will be checked. Low iron is the most common cause of blood donor deferral. To avoid low iron, donors should eat iron rich foods Provide link to iron rich foods - The Blood Donation
A technician will gently cleanse and sterilize your arm before inserting a needle that will cause a slight, momentary sting. The needle is sterile, used only for your donation, then disposed. If you wish, we also take an extra blood sample for the purpose of performing a cholesterol screening at no charge to you. The cholesterol screening results will be sent to the address you provided us at the time of registration. - Rest and Refreshments
Relax and enjoy fruit juice, cookies and assorted snacks for 15 minutes. Indulge yourself for a deed well done!
In the 24 hours after your donation, your blood donation will be tested, typed, and separated into various components to be safely transfused to up to three patients.
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Did You Know?
Anne Arundel Medical Center Needs Your Blood
- Your donation will directly support the need of Anne Arundel Medical Center blood supply, by helping us you will be helping your community. We are here because one day your close friend, your business associate, your co-worker, one of your family members, or perhaps even you will require this Gift of Life.
- Thanks to the support of our donors, staff, partners, and patients, Anne Arundel Medical Center Blood Donor Center has been the “lifeblood” of the Greater Annapolis and surrounding areas for more than 30 years, helping to save countless lives. As our facility expands so does the need for blood. Our mission remains the same: protecting lives by providing quality blood services and exceptional customer service.
One Donation Can Save Up to Three Lives
Donated blood is separated into components that can be used for several patients.
- Red blood cells control anemia
- Platelets help blood clot and are needed by patients undergoing chemotherapy
- Plasma is used for patients with liver disease an blood clotting problems
Donating Blood: it’s Simple, Safe and it Saves Lives
It is safe to give blood.
- You cannot contract any disease by giving blood.
- All equipment is sterile and has never been used before.
- All donors are screened prior to donation to ensure that it is safe for them to donate and safe for a patient to receive their blood. AAMC Blood Donor Center uses only volunteer, unpaid blood donors, which is the safest source of human blood.
You may donate blood every 56 days. Every 28 days for platelets
- A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to donation.
- Your body replenishes the plasma or liquid portion of each pint of donated blood in 12 to 36 hours.
- The red cells are replaced by the body in four to six weeks.
There is no substitute for human blood.
- Healthy people are the only source of “the gift of life.”
- Blood in liquid form has a life span of only 42 days, so volunteer donors must give regularly.
- One blood donation can save up to three lives.
Blood is used for all kinds of people:
- Accident victims
- Babies
- Children and adults with acute burns or blood clotting problems
- Those with catastrophic diseases such as leukemia and hemophilia
Leading users of blood and components are patients with:
- Diagnoses associated with cancer, heart disease, gastrointestinal disease
- Fractures and trauma
- Anemia
- Pregnancy
- Bone and joint abnormalities
- Lung, liver and kidney diseases
All donated blood is tested
After each donation is made, the laboratory tests the blood for a variety of agents. These include:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg)
- Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)
- Hepatitis C virus antibody (anti –HCV)
- HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody (anti-HIV-1 and HIV-2)
- HTLV-1 and HTLV-II antibody (anti-HTLV-1 and anti-HTLV-II).
- Serologic test for syphilis
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and West Nile Virus
- Chagas Disease
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