Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your questions about giving blood from a leading New Jersey blood center.

Whether you’re 16 or 60, you can help the Central Jersey Blood Center in its mission to provide an adequate, high quality, and safe supply of blood and blood products to hospitals in New Jersey. Here are answers to commonly asked questions about blood donor eligibility and information about the benefits of blood donation.

1. What is blood? What are blood components?
2. What is platelet pheresis?
3. Why should I donate blood?
4. Can I donate blood?
5. How often can I donate blood?
6. How old do I have to be to donate blood?
7. How much do I have to weigh to give blood?
8. Who cannot donate blood?
9. What are the side effects of blood donation?
10. Can I give blood if I have a tattoo?
11. Can I give blood if I have a cold?
12. What happens after I donate blood?
13. What happens to my blood after I donate?
14. Are appointments necessary to give blood?

1. What is blood? What are blood components?
Blood is living tissue that circulates throughout the body. It is made up of plasma, red cells, white cells, and platelets. Plasma brings water and nutrients to every cell in the body; it also sends waste product to the kidneys for excretion. Red cells are carriers of oxygen from the lungs to the entire body. White cells are protectors against disease and infection. They destroy bacteria and help immune defense. Platelets control bleeding; they are tiny cells that help blood to clot.

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2. What is platelet pheresis?
Platelet pheresis is the process of collecting a single component of blood—platelets. These tiny cells help blood to clot. As more people undergo chemotherapy, they require platelets as a part of their treatment. Diseases such as leukemia that were once 100% fatal are now being treated and often cured by a combination of modern medicine and repeated transfusions of platelets.

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3. Why should I donate blood?
There are several reasons to donate blood in NJ, mainly because blood is perishable, supplies of it need to be regularly replenished. The Central Jersey Blood Center offers a safe way for people to save lives. All three of our blood donation centers in New Jersey service local hospitals—so you know that your blood is going to help people in your own backyard, so to speak. You should give blood because it is a simple way to make a huge difference in the lives of others. From saving lives to helping out locally, there are plenty of reasons to donate blood. NJ’s supply is in constant need, and every donation helps keep levels up.

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4. Can I donate blood?
Blood donors who are 16 years old, weigh at least 120 pounds and have never had hepatitis are good candidates to give blood. Children aged 16 must have parental consent to donate blood; 17 and up can donate blood in NJ without parental consent. There is no upper age limit. Medications frequently taken by healthy individuals, such as aspirin, diet pills, birth control pills, blood pressure medication, and cholesterol medication are not a reason for deferral. The use of other medications will be evaluated by a nurse. To learn more about blood donor eligibility, click here.

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5. How often can I donate blood in New Jersey?
The donation interval is 8 weeks, or 56 days, between donations. For 2 unit red cells, you must wait 16 weeks or 112 days.

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6. How old do I have to be to donate blood?
In order to donate blood in New Jersey, you must be at least 16 years of age and have parental consent. If you are 17 and older, you do not need your parent’s written permission. A full breakdown of blood donor eligibility can be found by clicking here.

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7. How much do I have to weigh to give blood?
You must weigh at least 120 pounds to donate blood in NJ.

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8. Who cannot donate blood?
One of our nurses can answer questions about blood donor eligibility. There are some conditions regarding blood donor rules like being on antibiotics or being pregnant that require you to wait a certain length of time before you give blood. You will be automatically deferred if you have hepatitis or are at a high risk for AIDS. To look at all of the blood donation restrictions, click here.

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9. What are the side effects of blood donation?
One of the side effects of blood donation is feeling light-headed. This can be remedied by eating a light meal before you donate blood. If you feel dizzy after giving blood, the blood donation center staff members provide a relaxing place to rest, as well as snacks to help you feel better.

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10. Can I give blood if I have a tattoo?
Yes. So long as the tattoo was done in the State of New Jersey and if it was applied using single use needle and single use ink. There is a one-year deferral for tattoos applied out of state.

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11. Can I give blood if I have a cold?
If you have a cold, it’s best to wait until your symptoms are over before you donate blood.

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12. What happens after I donate blood?
After the donation you may stay at our blood donor center and have refreshments. Please refrain from lifting heavy objects with the donating arm within the next four hours and do not smoke for at least one hour.

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13. What happens to my blood after I donate?
After you donate blood in New Jersey, your donation is taken to the laboratory at Central Jersey Blood Center for processing. In addition to blood typing, each unit undergoes a rigorous testing procedure to ensure safety. Your blood may also be separated into red cells, platelets and plasma.

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14. Are appointments necessary to give blood?
While appointments are preferred, we are usually able to accommodate donors on short notice. Please call 732-842-5750 to schedule an appointment or request your appointment here.

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We are happy to answer your questions about giving blood at one of our blood donation centers, or at any of our blood drive locations. To donate blood today, click here. You can also contact us by clicking here or calling 732-842-5750.