Donating Blood at Baystate Health
Donate Blood at Baystate Medical Center
Our blood donation center is located at Baystate Medical Center, 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield, Massachusetts on Daly 1. The hours of operation are Monday – Thursday 8 am - 4:30 pm and Fridays 8 am – 12 pm.
Make an Appointment to Donate at a Community Hospital Blood Drive
Online scheduling is not available for community hospital blood drives. To make an appointment, call 413-794-4600.
The Baystate Health Blood Donation team will host blood drives at Baystate Franklin Hospital, Baystate Noble Hospital, and Baystate Wing Hospital
Donors will receive a $10 gift card to Dunkin', Amazon, or Big Y.
2026 Community Hospital Blood Drives
Baystate Franklin
The blood drives will be held from 8:30 am – 2 pm in the Old Endoscopy Suite (First Floor) on:
- January 7
- February 4
- March 4
- April 1
- April 29
- May 27
- June 24
- July 22
- August 19
- September 16
- October 14
- November 11
- December 9
Baystate Noble
The blood drives will be held from 8:30 am – 2 pm on:
- January 12
- March 9
- May 4
- July 6
- September 14
- November 9
Baystate Wing
The blood drives will be held from 8:30 am – 2 pm in Snow Conference Room “C” on:
- February 11
- April 8
- June 3
- August 5
- October 7
- December 2
Sponsor a Blood Drive On Site at Baystate Medical Center
The Baystate Health Blood Donor Program is happy to work with both businesses and individuals alike to host a sponsored blood drive. 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 Nicole VanZandt to organize a blood drive.
Blood Donation FAQs
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 try donating blood 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.
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 my blood, 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: Monday – Thursday 8 am - 4:30 pm and Fridays 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 to make sure your blood or platelets are safe for patient use. We'll notify you of any abnormal findings.
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