Tissue Services Giving Blood for the First Time Thank you for thinking about giving blood through the American Red Cross. We realize you may have a few questions about what happens when you donate blood. This page contains important information to help you answer your questions. We want you to feel completely comfortable about being a blood donor. If after reading this information you have any other questions, please feel free to call or e-mail.
Blood is essential to life.
Not artificial substitutes can replace the functions of human blood. And when patients need blood, they depend on your donation. In fact, all of the blood donated through the Red Cross comes from volunteers - caring people like you. Remember that blood is needed all the time - not just when someone you know gets hurt or sick. Patients all over the country need blood every minute of every day.