What is whole blood donation? A whole blood donation includes plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. Donors give a pint of blood for whole blood donations. A whole blood donation is what most first-time donors do at blood drives and banks. Whole blood donations do not require machines to separate any components. 

To donate blood, you will have to register with the organization and complete a health history questionnaire. The representative will ask you questions that will determine your eligibility to donate.

Some of these questions refer to your:

• Current health and medical conditions.
• Medications.
• Past travel history.
• Lifestyle choices.

While these questions may seem very personal, they help representatives prescreen your donation. For example, you will need to wait three months after getting a tattoo to donate blood. 

Likewise, these questions help protect you. You cannot donate blood if you are pregnant, just gave birth, are on certain medications, or have specific diagnoses. Donating a pint of blood could be unsafe for you.

Your blood donation will go to a laboratory for testing. They will check your blood type as well as ensure the blood does not contain infectious diseases, which could cause more harm than good for patients. 

The process of drawing a pint of blood takes less than 15 minutes typically. Representatives will encourage you to eat food and drink fluids. How often can you donate whole blood? You must wait eight weeks before you can make another whole blood donation. However, you may be able to donate platelets after seven days.