Although a blood transfusion is needed every two seconds in this country, just three percent of the United States population donates blood each year. We need to dramatically increase that number to ensure we have enough blood on the shelf to meet demand while creating a blood supply that’s as diverse as the nation that depends on it.
How often can you donate blood? The answer depends on what you donate:
- Whole blood: You can donate every 56 days. Your red blood cell levels typically return to normal in about two weeks after donation.
- Platelets (apheresis): You can donate as much as twice in a 7-day period, up to 24 times in a rolling 12 months. Platelets usually return to normal within a few hours; plasma—the liquid part of blood—replenishes in a couple of days.
- Double red cells: This procedure collects two pints of red cells in one visit using an apheresis machine. Specific timing between these donations is typically every 112 days (approximately 4 months) but you should check with your local community blood center for specific scheduling guidance.
A few quick reminders
- If you have questions about eligibility, medications, travel, or vaccinations, your local community blood center is the best source to confirm your status—don’t assume you’re ineligible. You can find answers to common blood donation myths in our blood donation eligibility toolkit.
- After you donate, plan to hydrate, have a snack, and follow staff instructions—and schedule your next donation before you leave.
Regular donations matter to patients undergoing cancer treatment, organ and bone marrow transplants, living with inherited blood disorders, having orthopedic or cardiovascular surgeries, and more.
Contrary to what many assume, major disasters and mass-casualty events rarely require large quantities of blood—typically about 200–400 units that are often already on hospital shelves.
While donor support often surges after disasters, blood is needed every day, and each unit takes 24–48 hours to test, process, and prepare for patients. The best way to ensure blood products are available is to donate on a regular schedule so blood is available before it’s needed.
ABC has resources to help you learn more about blood, the safety of the blood supply, and promote blood donation and a strong blood supply.