The body manufactures blood constantly. Each needle used during the blood donation process is sterile and used only once. The needle is disposed of in a specially marked biohazardous container immediately following the donation. No one has ever contracted HIV or any infectious disease from donating blood. The Center is accredited, regulated, and licensed by the College of American Pathologists, the American Association of Blood Banks, and the Food and Drug Administration.
Some people actually become donors to help get over their fear of needles.
The actual drawing process should cause very little discomfort. The finger prick during the preliminary interview process is usually the only discomfort encountered by a blood donor. It takes only about 45 minutes to donate blood, including paperwork and refreshments. Each unit of blood donated can save up to four people's lives when processed into therapeutic components. Not a bad return on your investment of time.