Thank you for you donation.  Through your kindness and generosity, patients in your community

will be given a chance for a better, healthier life.

Please take a few moments to read the following instructions:

          Eat and drink something before leaving.

          Do not leave until you are released by a staff member or designee.

          Drink more fluids than usual during the next 4 hours.

          Avoid consuming alcohol until you have eaten something.

          Do not smoke for 30 minutes.

          Leave the bandage on for 4 to 6 hours.

          Continue to drink plenty of fluids for several days to restore blood volume.

Although rare, a donor may experience an adverse reaction during blood collection or within a few

hours (rarely as late as 18 hours) after blood drawing.  These reactions include, but are not limited

to: dizziness, fainting (with loss of consciousness or seizure), bruising (hematoma), nerve damage,

vein inflammation (phlebitis), arterial puncture, infection, or blood clot formation.

      If there is bleeding from the site of blood collection, raise your arm while applying

      pressure to the site.

      If you feel faint, sit down with your head between your knees or lie down and elevate

      your feet.

      Resume all normal activities if you feel good.  If your work in certain occupations

      (e.g., construction or heavy machine operation) or you are working at heights, you

      may feel dizzy or faint if you return to work immediately after giving blood.

Bleeding after leaving the donation site or excessive bending, pushing or lifting could

result in a bruise.  The area may be discolored and slightly swollen and the color may change from

bluish-black to purple to brownish-red to yellow.  As the color changes the area of discoloration will

increase. 

If swelling, bruising or pain should develop, apply an ice pack for 20 minutes 4 times during the first

24 hours, and apply warm wet packs 3 times daily for the next several days.  You may take

non-aspirin anti-inflammatory products for pain.

If any symptoms persist, either call the Donor Services Department at the central Aurora

office or other fixed sites if you were drawn at a subcenter, return to a donor center or see

a doctor.

If, after your blood donation, you become ill with signs or symptoms of an acute infectious illness

(such as flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, swollen glands, rash, headache, muscle aches or weakness,

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) or decide that your blood should not be transfused to a patient,

immediately call Heartland Blood Centers at (630)-892-7055 or Blood Distribution Department

at (800) 786-4483 and ask that your blood be discarded.

Note:  Even if your blood is not used, it will still be tested and you will be notified of any positive

          results.

To curtail the risk of West Nile Virus infection, during the WNV season (May 1 to November 30),

immediately call one of the above numbers to report any flu-like illness associated with a fever

and headache, during the 2 weeks after your blood donation.

Also, if you develop hepatitis within one year of your blood donation or if you ever become infected

with the AIDS virus, call the Medical Director at (630) 892-7055 as soon as possible.  

If you have any questions or other concerns,

feel free to call the Heartland Blood Center in your area.

Visit us online at www.heartlandbc.org

Email: heartlan1@heartlandbc.org

 Thank you for giving

the gift of life!