The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas

What to Expect

Never Donated Before?

Donating blood is safe, simple and it saves lives.

Step 1

Sign-in and Interview

When you sign-in at the reception desk, you will be asked to read some information. Next, you will complete a short survey in a private computer room to confirm your medical and travel history.

Step 2

Receive a mini-physical

Next, you will receive a mini-physical to ensure that you are healthy enough to donate blood. This includes checking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and a finger-stick to check your hematocrit (red blood cell percentage or iron count).

Step 3

Blood Donation

One of our phlebotomists will collect about a pint of blood from you. Because sterile, disposable, one-use-only supplies are used for your donation, there is no risk of getting a disease from giving blood.

Step 4

Juice and Cookies

After completing a blood donation, you will be escorted to the canteen for cookies, crackers, and a variety of non-caffeinated beverages.

The whole process takes 45 minutes to an hour.

Please remember, it is not possible to get any disease by donating blood.

Your blood donation gift is a matter of life to a patient needing a transfusion.