Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Stanford Blood Center (SBC) has roots in the community and focuses on helping support local patients when they need it most. To be able to provide life-saving treatment, they rely on the generosity of community members like you to be able to be able to fill a need of roughly 200 units (pints) of blood per day. For the current and future patients of SBC, your blood donation could mean:

a transfusion for someone with a life-threatening condition such as sickle-cell anemia; emergency treatment for a major trauma case; a second chance at life for a child in critical condition; advanced surgical options for a high-risk patient; stronger immunity for a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy; a medical safety net in the event of an active shooter and other disaster; and research with the ability to radically transform public health.

Each time you come in to donate, you earn points that you can redeem for items in SBC’s Donor Loyalty Store — backpacks, headphones, jackets, all kinds of goodies! It’s their way of saying “thank you” for the incredible gift you give when you donate blood. Throughout the month of December, SBC is also offering a fun “ugly sweater” long-sleeve holiday t-shirt to anyone who presents to donate. Best of all, of course, you benefit from that warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing that you may have saved lives in your community and beyond!

To become a blood donor, you must be 18 years of age (16 and 17 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be free of cold and flu symptoms and in general good health.

In order to keep the blood supply safe, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also requires blood centers to implement additional eligibility criteria. View more eligibility requirements (like tattoos and common travel deferrals) here. 

And, if you have any questions about your eligibility, SBC is always willing to help walk you through it at 650-723-7831.

Donations can be made online or by calling SBC at 888-723-7831. Support SBC through the Basementeer program by updating your beneficiary today!