FAQs about St. Jude's Blood Donor Center

While we appreciate your generosity, FDA restrictions, testing procedures and costs prohibit us from doing this. However, we encourage you to donate blood at your local center. Your blood donation will help to address a world-wide shortage and is sincerely appreciated.

Feel free to contact us with other questions or concerns you may have prior to or following your blood donation. You may use our online form for your comments, you can call us anonymously at 901-595-2024, or send us an e-mail.

• From Poplar, turn north on Third Street, then right on Lauderdale. Enter through the north guard gate.
• I-40 from the East, take the 2nd Danny Thomas Blvd. exit (Danny Thomas South), which loops around and crosses back over I-40. Take the first right on Alabama Street, then right on Lauderdale. Enter through the north guard gate, immediately after passing under I-40.
• I-40 from the West, take the Danny Thomas Blvd. exit, continuing straight off the ramp to Alabama Street. Turn right on Alabama, crossing Danny Thomas, then right again on Lauderdale. Enter through the north guard gate, immediately after passing under I-40.

Tell the guard at the gate that you are here to donate blood. The guard will instruct you where to park. You will then enter the hospital by the red side door closest to the blood donor parking lot. The Blood Donor Center is in the southwest corner of the hospital on the ground floor.

Drink plenty of fluids and eat a good breakfast. Get plenty of rest the night before. If you have been ill within the last seven days, you probably will not be allowed to donate at this time. This is done to minimize the risk of transmitting a communicable disease on to a recipient. You can reschedule your appointment for another day.

Infectious disease testing will be performed on your blood product to determine the presence or absence of:

• HIV: We will test your blood for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
• HTLV-1: We will test your blood for HTLV-1, a virus that may cause a blood or nerve disease.
• Hepatitis: We will test your blood for hepatitis, a viral liver disease.
• Syphilis: We will test your blood for syphilis, a venereal disease.

If there is a concern about your test results, we will contact you via certified mail and we may ask that you return in 8 weeks for repeat, confirmatory testing. We will also advise you to see your physician.

**NOTE: Donating blood is NEVER a good way to get a free blood test. If you only want a blood test, please contact your physician.

It is virtually impossible to contract a disease from donating blood. Only sterile, disposable equipment is used throughout the donation process. You cannot get AIDS or another infectious disease by donating blood or blood products.

There are potential short-term side effects, however. These effects depend on the type of product being donated, your body's tolerance to the procedure, your overall health and your previous experiences with donations. Side effects can be minimized by being well-hydrated prior to donation, eating a well balanced meal before and after donation, and getting plenty of sleep the night before.

Common side effects may include dizziness, tingling in the lips and nose and chills. All of these side effects should pass shortly after donation. 

There are numerous opportunities for you to contact us both before and after your donation if you have any doubts regarding the safety of your blood. At the end of the interview process, you will have an opportunity for self-deferral which will be handled confidentially. If you do not think your blood is safe to give to a patient, please let us know. If you should become ill soon after your donation (flu, colds, etc.), please call us so we can quarantine your unit. If you have any concerns do not hesitate to contact us at 901-595-2024.

• Drink more liquids than usual in the next few hours.
• Eat a hearty meal.
• Do not smoke for one half-hour.
• If there is any bleeding from the site where the blood was drawn, raise your arm and apply pressure.
• If you feel faint or dizzy, either sit down with your head between your knees or lie down with your head lower than the rest of your body.
• All normal activity may be resumed after one half-hour, if you feel well. However, avoid strenuous activity for the remainder of the day.
• The bandage may be removed after one hour.
• If you do not feel well or have any other concerns after your blood donation, please call us at 901-595-2024 and ask to speak with a member of the nursing or medical staff.
• Mark your calendar for when you will be eligible to donate again!