OneBlood is a nonprofit blood bank serving Florida, Georgia, and Alabama

OneBlood is a nonprofit organization that collects, tests, and distributes blood and blood products to hospitals across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. It operates blood donation centers in those three states and supplies roughly half the blood used in hospitals throughout Florida. OneBlood also collects plasma and platelets, which are used for different medical purposes than whole blood.

The organization is part of a network of independent blood banks across the United States. Unlike the American Red Cross, which operates nationally, OneBlood serves a specific region and works directly with hospitals in its service area. If you donate with OneBlood, your blood stays within that regional system.

OneBlood is run by a board of directors and funded through blood sales to hospitals, donations from individuals, and grants. It does not receive government funding for operations, though it follows all federal regulations for blood collection and testing set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Key Takeaways

  • OneBlood collects whole blood, plasma, and platelets at donation centers across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
  • You must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health to donate whole blood with OneBlood.
  • OneBlood tests every donation for infectious diseases including HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis before it enters the blood supply.
  • The donation process takes about 45 minutes to an hour from check-in to recovery, though the actual blood draw lasts only 8 to 10 minutes.
  • OneBlood does not pay donors for whole blood, but does compensate donors for plasma and platelet donations.

Who can donate whole blood to OneBlood

OneBlood requires donors to meet basic health and age requirements. You must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent in some cases), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. You cannot donate if you are currently sick with a fever, cold, or flu-like illness, though you can return after you recover.

Certain medical conditions and medications prevent donation. These include uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, bleeding disorders, and recent surgery. If you take blood thinners like warfarin or apixaban, you cannot donate whole blood. Some antibiotics and other medications also disqualify you temporarily. OneBlood staff review your medical history during the screening process and can tell you whether your specific condition or medication affects your donation status.

Travel history matters for blood safety. If you have traveled to certain countries in the past three months, you may be deferred. OneBlood follows FDA guidelines on travel-related deferrals, which change based on disease outbreaks and other public health factors. The staff at your local center can tell you whether your recent travel affects your donation.

What happens during a OneBlood donation

The donation process begins with registration and a health screening. You will answer questions about your medical history, medications, travel, and lifestyle. This is not a judgment — the questions exist to protect both you and the people who receive your blood. You will also have your blood pressure, temperature, and hemoglobin level checked. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen; if your level is too low, you cannot donate that day.

The actual blood draw takes 8 to 10 minutes. A phlebotomist inserts a needle into a vein in your arm and collects about one pint of blood into a sterile bag. The needle is used only once and then discarded. You sit or lie down during the draw, and staff monitor you to make sure you feel okay.

After the draw, you move to a recovery area where you rest for 10 to 15 minutes. You are offered juice and snacks to help your body recover. Most donors feel fine when ready, though some feel lightheaded or dizzy for a few minutes. Staff will not let you leave until they are confident you are okay to go. The entire visit, from check-in to leaving, usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.

How OneBlood tests and processes your blood

Every donation is tested for infectious diseases before it can be used. OneBlood tests for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and other pathogens. The testing follows FDA standards and uses both antibody tests (which detect the immune system's response to infection) and nucleic acid tests (which detect the virus or bacteria itself). These tests can catch infections earlier than older methods.

If your blood tests positive for any infectious disease, OneBlood notifies you by mail or phone. You will be told not to donate again and given information about next steps, which may include seeing a doctor. A positive test result does not mean you definitely have the disease — some tests produce false positives — so OneBlood recommends you follow up with your own doctor for confirmation.

After testing clears your blood, it is processed and stored. Whole blood is refrigerated and can be stored for up to 42 days. Some donations are separated into components: red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Red blood cells are used for surgery and trauma; plasma is used for burns and liver disease; platelets are used for cancer patients and others with bleeding disorders. This separation means one donation can help multiple patients.

Plasma and platelet donations through OneBlood

OneBlood also collects plasma and platelets through a process called apheresis. In apheresis, blood is drawn into a machine that separates out the component you are donating (plasma or platelets) and returns the rest of your blood to your body. This process takes longer than whole blood donation — usually 60 to 90 minutes — but allows you to donate more frequently because your body replaces plasma and platelets faster than it replaces red blood cells.

Plasma donors can donate twice per week, with at least 48 hours between donations. Platelet donors can donate up to 24 times per year. OneBlood compensates plasma and platelet donors, though the amount varies by location and current demand. Whole blood donors are not paid.

The requirements for plasma and platelet donation are similar to whole blood donation, though some differences exist. Plasma donors must weigh at least 110 pounds; platelet donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and meet additional weight-based requirements for the volume collected. Both require the same health screening and infectious disease testing as whole blood donors.

How to find a OneBlood donation center and schedule

OneBlood operates donation centers throughout Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. You can find the center nearest you on the OneBlood website by entering your zip code. The website shows hours, address, and phone number for each location. Some centers are open evenings and weekends; others operate during business hours only. Hours vary by location.

You can schedule a donation appointment online through the OneBlood website or by calling your local center. Walk-ins are usually accepted, but scheduling ahead means shorter wait times. When you schedule, you can choose the type of donation (whole blood, plasma, or platelets) and the time that works for you.

Bring a photo ID and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease) to your donation. If you have donated with OneBlood before, your information is in their system and the check-in process is faster. First-time donors should plan to arrive 15 minutes early to complete registration.

What to do before and after donating

Before your donation, eat a meal and drink plenty of water. Dehydration makes the needle insertion harder and can make you feel dizzy after donation. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before donating. If you take iron supplements or eat iron-rich foods (red meat, spinach, beans), this can help your body recover faster, though it is not required.

After donation, rest for the remainder of the day if possible. Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and hot environments for 24 hours. Drink extra fluids and eat salty snacks to help your body replace the fluid you lost. Most donors return to normal activities the next day without problems. If you feel dizzy, faint, or unwell in the hours after donation, contact OneBlood or seek medical attention.

You can donate whole blood every 56 days (about eight weeks). This waiting period allows your body to replace the red blood cells you donated. If you donate plasma or platelets, you can donate more frequently because your body replaces these components faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OneBlood pay donors?

OneBlood does not pay whole blood donors. Plasma and platelet donors are compensated, though the amount varies by location and current demand. You can ask your local center what the current payment is for plasma or platelet donation.

What if I have a tattoo or piercing?

You can donate if your tattoo or piercing was done by a licensed professional using sterile equipment. If it was done in an unlicensed setting, you must wait 12 months before donating. OneBlood asks about this during your health screening.

Can I donate if I take birth control or other medications?

Most common medications do not prevent donation. Birth control, blood pressure medication, and thyroid medication are usually fine. Blood thinners, some antibiotics, and acne medication (isotretinoin) do prevent donation. Tell the OneBlood staff about all medications you take during screening, and they will tell you whether you can donate.

What happens if I feel faint during the donation?

Tell the phlebotomist when ready if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or unwell during the draw. They can stop the donation, have you lie down, and monitor you. This happens occasionally and is not dangerous if staff know about it right away.

How do I know if my blood was used?

OneBlood does not track individual donations to specific patients for privacy reasons. You will receive a donor card after your first donation, and OneBlood sends updates about blood needs in your area. You can contact OneBlood directly if you have questions about your donation.