Donating Blood Step By Step

Bonfils Blood Center is dedicated to making blood donation as easy and convenient for you as possible. Below you will find the step by step process of each type of blood donation.

Whole Blood

Automated

Specialized

Whole blood donation is the most common type of blood donation and typically takes less than an hour.

Step 1
You’ll be given a donor questionnaire to complete which includes several basic health and lifestyle questions to help ensure the safety of the blood supply.

Step 2
A staff member verbally and confidentially reviews your paperwork answering any questions you might have. Your blood pressure, pulse, temperatures and hematocrit (red blood cell count) will be checked and recorded to help ensure your safety.

Step 3
After the health screening, you’ll sit in a reclining chair and make a whole blood donation. It takes about 5-10 minutes to complete the actual donation.

Step 4
You’ll be asked to sit in the canteen and enjoy light refreshments for approximately 15 minutes.

Following your donation, your life-saving gift is typed, tested, processed stored and distributed to patients in need.

Automated donation is a process where specific components of blood (red cells, platelets, plasma) are removed while the remaining parts of the blood are safely returned to the donor.

Step 1
You’ll be given a donor questionnaire to complete which includes several basic health and lifestyle questions to help ensure the safety of the blood supply.

Step 2
A staff member verbally and confidentially reviews your paperwork answering any questions you might have. Your blood pressure, pulse, temperatures and hematocrit (red blood cell count) will be checked and recorded to help ensure your safety.

Step 3
During your donation, blood will be drawn from your arm and channeled through sterile, single-use tubing to a centrifuge that separates and collects the most needed components and safely returns the remaining blood components back to you.
Automated donation procedures can last from 45 to 120 minutes. During this time, you'll enjoy our beds where you can watch TV and DVDs, listen to a CD or even browse the Internet at select locations.

Step 4
You’ll be asked to sit in the canteen and enjoy light refreshments for approximately 15 minutes.

Following your donation, your life-saving gift is typed, tested, processed stored and distributed to patients in need.

Bonfils Blood Center collects three types of specialized donations:

autologous
directed
therapeutic

Specialized donations are collected at our Lowry, Pueblo and Sterling Community Donor Centers. Autologous, directed and therapeutic donation appointments may not be scheduled online.

Autologous, directed and therapeutic donations will generally be initiated by your physician. Physicians and donors should contact Bonfils' Specialized Donations Scheduling department at 303.363.2330, 800.421.9529 or SDS@bonfils.org to begin the process or to schedule a donation appointment. Physicians' orders may be faxed to 303.363.2329.

Physician Information

Which donation type is is right for you?

Automated donations are accepted at our Boulder, Denver West, Highlands Ranch, Lowry and Westminster Community Donor Centers.

Locate your blood type on this chart or contact us for more information about blood donation.

Prior to your donation, please remember to:

Drink plenty of water for at least 24 hours prior to your donation
Eat a healthy, low-fat meal within four hours prior to your donation

If you are scheduled for an automated donation, in addition to drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy meal, please remember to:

Eat extra calcium-rich foods prior to your donation
Refrain from taking aspirin-containing products for 48 hours prior to your donation

Bonfils Blood Center does our best to make blood donation as convenient as possible. Every donor and donation experience is difference. Factors such as donor reactions, the number of appointments available and the arrival times of donors may cause process times to vary. Bonfils may not be able to accommodate donors arriving early or late so please arrive promptly at your appointment time. Thank you for your patience.