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Donate Blood. Save Lives.

Donate Blood. Save Lives.

Every donation is critical and you can make a lifesaving difference. Patients with trauma, undergoing surgery, or with conditions that require blood transfusions, such as sickle cell disease, need blood and blood products. You can help.

Fact Sheets

Social Media Resources

Blood Donation Videos

Blood Donation Insights

Shortages in the nation's blood supply can happen any time. Consider being a blood donor!

Blood donation is a safe and simple procedure. All donated blood products are carefully tested and then stored or shipped so they are ready for patients who need a blood transfusion.

Not sure if you're eligible or have never donated blood before? Learn about eligibility requirements here. Revised guidance and changes including, the elimination of questions based on sex and sexual orientation, are making it possible for more people to donate than ever.

Your donation can help save lives. Find a blood donation center near you.

Did you know?

About every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
A single blood donation can save up to 3 lives.
Only 3% of age-eligible individuals in the U.S. give blood each year.
Most blood types fall into one of the four major groups: A, B, AB, O. However, some people have rare blood types that fall outside the major groups, and for these patients, we need a more diverse blood supply.
Black or African American blood donors are particularly important to patients with rare blood types who often need blood donated by someone with a similar race or ethnicity.

Share with others the importance of blood donation & safety!

African American young man smiling while donating blood

Social Media Resources: Share these resources on social media and follow us on LinkedIn!
Infographic: Download and share this informational graphic about the importance of blood donation and blood diversity in the Black community.
Drop-in Articles: Copy and paste these prewritten articles into your newsletters, bulletins, blogs, or website. Or send to local media and ask them to do a story for National Blood Donor Month in January, World Blood Donor Day on June 14th, or throughout the year. Add your organization’s logos, images, or graphics to personalize it. (Please note: These articles are provided for educational purposes and should not be distributed as press releases or contain the NHLBI or Blood Diseases & Disorders Education Program logos without permission.)
- How Donating Blood Saves Lives and Communities (in English and Spanish)
- How do you know blood donations are safe? (in English and Spanish)
Fact Sheet: Donate Blood. Save a Life. Share copies of this fact sheet in English and Spanish.
Video: Watch and share these videos, including the new Building a More Diverse and Inclusive Blood Donor Community video.
Motivators & Barriers for Blood Donation in the Black or African American Community: Understanding knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about blood donation is critical to increasing and diversifying the blood supply. This focus group report explores motivators & barriers to blood donation among Black or African American adult donors and non-donors ages 18 to 50.

Learn more about the importance of blood donation, blood types, and how to donate blood.