Whether you're an avid donor, or looking to give back for the first time, donating blood is a simple yet effective way to give back to the community + make a positive impact on local lives.

The entire process is not only safe, but pretty painless, too.🩸

Places to donate blood in Charleston

The Blood Connection, 5870 Core Rd., North Charleston

Book your donation appointment online.
The day of your appointment, you can fill out a health history questionnaire beforehand.

Charleston Red Cross, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

Visit the website to schedule an appointment.

Here’s what you need to do

Read up on the requirements for donating blood to see if you are eligible to give blood.
You’ll be asked to complete a blood donor history questionnaire to fast-track your appointment. No worries if you can’t get to it ahead of time, you can always complete it on site if that works better for you.
When you arrive to donate blood, expect a short physical (temperature, pulse + blood pressure check, and a small finger prick to check your hemoglobin levels).
If you're cleared to donate, sit back and relax — it’ll be over before you know it.

Things to remember

Eat a hearty meal beforehand + give yourself an hour to digest.
Drink an extra 16 oz of room temperature water prior to your donation in order to prep your veins. Make sure to continue drinking extra water after donating.
Avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day.
Incorporate iron rich foods into your meals after donating.
Eating + drinking properly beforehand will help prevent passing out. However, if you do pass out, you are in the care of well-trained nurses who will look after you.

Fun + bloody facts

People with type O- blood are universal blood donors, but only 7% of the population has O- blood. Learn more about your blood type.
There are about 10 pints of blood in your body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation — it can take between a couple hours to a few weeks in order to replenish that amount.
A blood donation can save up to three lives, but less than 38% of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets.

If you can’t donate blood, don’t sweat it. Check out others ways to give back in Charleston.

*Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive resource for donating blood. Please do your research beforehand and speak with your doctor before donating.