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Home Medical Services Blood Donor Program

Have you had COVID-19?

If you have had COVID-19 and fully recovered, you may be able to help save the lives of other patients by donating your plasma.

Donate COVID-19 Plasma
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Blood Donor Program

COVID-19 Information

Make an
Appointment

413-794-4600

Until further notice during the COVID-19 pandemic, Baystate Health is relocating all blood and platelet donations to 361 Whitney Avenue in Holyoke on the 2nd floor.

Please call us at 413-794-4600 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are accepted during these hours:

Sunday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Monday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesday: 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday: 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday: 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Donors should follow signs to the Education Center.

We're taking extra precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic for the safety and health of donors, including:

  • Prescreening donors
  • Extra precautionary cleaning
  • Spacing out donors to comply with social distancing and group gathering restrictions.

Per the FDA, donors should refrain from blood donation if in the past 14 days they have:

All eligible donors will receive a ticket to Six Flags (for future use, valid through 1/3/21) and a gift card to Big Y or Dunkin’.

Please contact the Baystate Health Blood Donor Center at 413-794-4600 to:

  • Make an appointment to donate blood
  • Make an appointment to donate platelets
  • Notify us if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 after your donation
  • Ask questions

Sponsor a Blood Drive

The Baystate Health Blood Donor Program is happy to work with both businesses and individuals alike to host a sponsored blood drive at 361 Whitney Avenue in Holyoke. Whether you are looking for a team building activity or to honor a loved one, giving back to our community with a blood donation can save up to two lives!

Email Amy Khalil to organize a blood drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're considering donating blood, you probably have questions.

Here are some of the most common:

Should I eat before donating blood?

Yes, we recommend a meal or a snack within four hours before donating.

How is blood used?

A gift of whole blood is usually divided into red cells and plasma, so that one gift can help more than one individual.

Premature infants, surgical patients, accident victims, and persons with leukemia and other diseases often require blood transfusions.

How often can you donate blood?

You can donate whole blood every 56 days and up to five times each year.

Platelet donors, who take part in a special process called apheresis, can donate as frequently as every 48 hours, or 24 times each year.

What are the requirements for donating blood?

Blood donors must be at least 17 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no maximum age limit.

I tried donating blood, but my iron was too low. Does that mean I shouldn't donate again?

No! Iron levels fluctuate all the time.

To keep your iron levels up, include the below items in your diet:

  • Beef and turkey
  • Beef liver and chicken liver
  • Canned sardines (with oil)
  • Clams and mollusks
  • Mussels and oysters
  • Broccoli
  • Cooked beans
  • Dried apricots
  • Iron-enriched cereals
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Sesame seeds
  • Squash seeds
  • Tofu
  • Nutrition drink mixes
  • Carnation instant breakfast
  • Ovaltine
  • Prune juice
  • Tomato juice
  • Vegetable juice

Can I donate my own blood for an upcoming procedure?

You cannot donate blood to yourself.

Do I need to know my blood type in order to donate?

No.

Will you tell me my blood type?

Yes!

About four weeks after your first donation to Baystate Health, we will know your blood type and can share it with you in person during your next donation.

I want to donate, but I would like to ask a question about deferrals first. How can I do that?

Contact our Donor Center at 413-794-4600 during the hours we are open, listed below:

Monday: 8 am-12 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12 pm-8 pm
Friday: 8 am-4 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 8 am-12 pm

How much blood do you donate?

You will give about 1 pint of blood during a single donation. An average adult has about 10 pints of blood in their body.

Does the blood stay within my local community?

When you donate blood to Baystate Health, your precious gift remains in our local communities.

How do I know if my blood is safe for patient use?

Following your donation, we will test your blood t o make sure your blood or platelets are safe for patient use. We'll notify you of any abnormal findings.

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