Jerome H. Holland Laboratory for the Biomedical Sciences Volunteer Research Blood Program (RBP)

Becoming a Volunteer Research Donor

Research Donor Eligibility

Whole Blood Donation Information

Apheresis Donation Information

Sign up to be a Volunteer Research Blood Donor

Donor Eligibility

• 18 years of age or older
• Must NOT be taking the following medications:
  • Clotting factors
  • Antibiotics for an infection (call us after you have completed the antibiotic)
  • Aspirin cannot be taken 3 days before an apheresis procedure
• Tattoo?
  If you can verify that all needles used to create your tattoo were sterile, you can donate for the Research Blood Program
• Traveled Lately?
  You can donate even if you’ve traveled to malaria-endemic countries and are on medication! Even if you’ve been in Western Europe for longer than 6 months, you can donate! South America, New Mexico? Just let the staff know.
• Sickle Cell Trait?
  We currently have studies requesting donors with sickle cell trait. Just call or complete the donor information sheet.
• Live in / Work in / or routinely visit the Metropolitan DC area (MD, DC, Virginia)

Whole Blood Donation Information

Whole blood donations take about 30 minutes, including history

Bring a picture ID with you! We need your name, address, social security number and important health history information!

Complete the Blood Donation Record (BDR)
The BDR is a set of questions about your health. The FDA requires all blood donors to answer these questions. If you are unsure of how to answer any of the questions, please discuss them with a staff member.

We’ll check your height, weight, temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.

A fingerstick will be performed to check your blood's hematocrit level.
Hematocrit must be 38% or higher to donate.

Your arm is cleansed with Betadine before the needle is inserted.

Please let the staff know if you are allergic to betadine, eggs, or shell fish.

All of the supplies, including the needle, are sterile and are used for a single donor and then discarded. You cannot get infected with the HIV (the virus that causes AIDS ) or any other disease by donating blood. Once the needle is placed, the whole blood collection takes about 10 minutes. The blood we collect is only used for approved research protocols. You'll be on your way in about 30 minutes. Your body replaces the liquid part of the blood (plasma) in hours and the cells in a few weeks. You may donate whole blood every 56 days as long as your Hematocrit is 38% or greater.

• Needle inserted and blood drawn by gravity.
• Procedure takes about 10 minutes.
• Needle removed.

Refreshments are available. We have an assortment of cookies and juice. We require that you relax at least 10 to 15 minutes after your donation. You will be observed during this time by the collection specialist.

Apheresis Donation Information

Apheresis
Apheresis is the automated collection of a blood product(s) from a donor. Before each procedure, the staff opens and applies a new and sterile disposable kit for each donor to a machine. The kit is made up of sterile tubing. Your blood comes into contact only with the interior of this tubing. Under no circumstances does your blood come into contact with the apheresis machine. There is no potential for cross contamination with blood from a previous donor. The kit is filled with saline and citrate just before each procedure.

The following components can be collected by apheresis or an automated blood collection

• A platelet(pheresis) procedure is the separation and collection of platelets and the return of the remaining cells and plasma to the donor. The collected component(s) may consist of either a single apheresis platelet unit or a double apheresis unit depending on the researcher's requirements. Platelets are blood cells that help the blood to clot.
• A leukopheresis procedure is the separation and collection of either granulocytes or granulocytes and platelets, and the return of the remaining cellular components and plasma to the donor. A granulocyte is a white blood cell that helps fight infection.
• A plasma(pheresis) procedure is the separation and collection of plasma and the return of cells to the donor. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood.
• A mononuclear leukocyte cell is an undifferentiated, primitive cell in the bone marrow or blood with the ability both to multiply and to change into specific blood cells.
• Red Blood Cells are cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. These cells contain iron.

Prior to Donation
Please eat breakfast or lunch before you donate. Please drink extra fluids (non-alcoholic) the night before or the morning of your donation. Please use the bathroom just before you sit in the donation chair.

What to Expect
During the donor health history interview, you will have your weight and height measure by the staff. We will test your blood prior to your donation to see if your hematocrit count is acceptable.

You will have one or two needles placed in your arm(s). The number of needles depends on your veins and the research study we will be using. If the first needle used does not work properly, you have the right to refuse a second needle. The staff will ask your permission to use a second needle. With a needle in your arm, you must keep your arm still during the procedure. You will not be able to write or read during the procedure if both arms are used.

The apheresis procedure takes 1 ½ to 3 ½ hours. The Automated Blood Collection takes 30-90 minutes. Once connected to the machine, you will not be able to use the bathroom for the duration of the procedure. Please use the facilities before you get your needle(s) placed.

You may find the machine is noisy when sitting next to it. We will provide videos with headphones or you may choose to watch TV. You may bring in a Walkman. Sleeping is an option. Please note that if you fall asleep, the staff may need to restrain your arm(s) to prevent the needle from moving in your vein. We may also need to wake you to ask you to squeeze your fist in order to maintain good blood flow.

We use citrate for the anticoagulant. The anticoagulant prevents your blood from clotting while its being collected. Citrate is a short acting anticoagulant. Citrate does not stay in your body for a long period of time. You may experience tingling, chills, nausea, muscle cramps, or numbness associated with the citrate. Please let the staff know if you are having any of these symptoms. We can change the setting on the machine to decrease the amount of citrate you are receiving during the procedure. We will provide Tums to help decrease the tingling from the citrate reaction. If you are cold, we have blankets for your comfort.