Frequently Asked Questions


What are the most common types of blood?

Blood Type % of Population with this Type Who Can Receive this Type
0+ 37.4 0+, A+, B+, AB+
0-  6.6 All Blood Types
A+ 35.8 A+, AB+
A-  6.3 A+, A-, AB+, AB-
B+ 8.5 B+, AB+
B-  1.5 B+, B-, AB+, AB-
AB+ 3.4 AB+
AB-  .6 AB+, AB-


What is Blood Assurance?
Blood Assurance is a non-profit, full-service regional blood center, serving 47 health care facilities in 31 counties throughout Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Alabama. Since 1972, Blood Assurance has served the people of these areas with the mission of providing a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to everyone in need.

Who gives blood?
Volunteers donate virtually all of the country's supply of blood for transfusions. It is important for all healthy individuals to donate blood, to ensure that the blood supply is there, when a patient needs blood.

What are the requirements for donating blood?
In order to give blood, you must be in good general health. In Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee 16 year olds can now donate with parental consent. And donors must also weigh a minimum of 110 lbs. Persons older than 80 no longer need written approval from their physician.

How often can I donate blood?
You can be a hero and save lives by giving blood up to six times a year. That's every eight weeks or every 56 days.

Can I get any disease from giving blood?
No. Only sterile, disposable, one-use-only needles and supplies are used. In addition, every pint is tested thoroughly before it is given to a patient.

How long does it take to give blood at Blood Assurance?
The entire process of donating blood, from the health questionnaire and physical to the actual donation, only takes from 30-45 minutes of your time at Blood Assurance. What's even better, is that the needle prick only lasts a second and obtaining your blood only takes about eight minutes. In addition, you can feel great just knowing that you helped save up to four lives for every donation.
Doesn't that motivate you?

Where and when can I give blood?
Blood Assurance has eleven different locations, as well as daily mobile drives to make it more convenient for you to give blood. Our donor stations in Tennessee are located in downtown Chattanooga, Cleveland, East Brainerd on Gunbarrel, North River in Hixson, Cookeville across from the Depot, Tullahoma next to Radio Shack, and inside Erlanger Hospital. Our Georgia stations are located in Dalton, Rome, and Fort Oglethorpe, as well as a location in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., except for our location inside Erlanger Hospital. Our Erlanger Baroness Campus location is open Monday through Friday 8:30 to 5:00 p.m.
And don't forget; you may donate at any community blood mobile drive as well. For information on our public drives, please call us at 1-800-962-0628.

Do I need an appointment?
No. Blood Assurance welcomes walk-ins. However, it is helpful if you do make an appointment ahead of time. To make an appointment, please call Blood Assurance at 1-800-962-0628 or make an appointment online via Web Scheduler.

Can my business, school or church host a blood drive?
Absolutely! Your group can have a dramatic impact on saving lives. Blood Assurance has eight bloodmobiles, including our famous Vein Train, which are available to conduct on-site blood drives for all groups. Please call us at 1-800-962-0628 to find out how your organization can host a blood drive.

Can I donate blood for myself?
Yes. The process of donating blood for oneself is known as autologous blood donation. In this procedure, you donate your own blood for an upcoming occasion where you will have need for a blood transfusion, such as surgery. Your blood is collected in the days and weeks prior to surgery, stored and returned to you during or following surgery to replace the blood you have lost. Your physician will make the necessary arrangements and you will then make an appointment with Blood Assurance.

What is Project Lifeline?
Project Lifeline is Blood Assurance's outreach program into area schools. We have implemented this program in over 90 high schools and colleges. This wonderful program promotes education regarding the importance of donating blood. In addition, Project Lifeline enables students and faculty to donate blood and save lives, while inspiring a sense of goodwill and sharing among those involved.

What is Apheresis?
Apheresis is a type of donation in which the donor only gives a certain blood component, such as platelets. Platelets prevent bleeding and are needed by patients who experience trauma, bleeding during surgery, and those who are being treated for cancer. It takes up to 10 normal blood donations to equal one apheresis donation. Therefore, these donors are very special to us. Find out more about how you can become a Apheresis Friend for Life.

What is the National Marrow Donor Program?
The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is a service Blood Assurance provides to help those in need. Blood Assurance donors can sign up to be on the national registry of potential bone marrow donors through the National Marrow Donor Program and possibly become a match for someone in need of a life-saving transplant. Find out more about enrolling on the NMDP.

Can 16 year olds really donate blood?
Yes, individuals who are 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health can donate blood in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee with parental consent.

Is is safe for 16 year olds to donate blood?
The collection of blood from 16-year-old individuals is recognized as a safe practice. Laws in many states already allow blood collection from these young adults, and many of these states have accepted 16-year-old donors for more than 30 years.

Why should I give blood?
Since the beginning of time, countless life-saving discoveries have been made. However, there is still no substitute for one of the most important elements--blood. Blood components are used every day to save people of every age, including premature babies, oncology patients, trauma victims, surgery patients and many more.

How much blood am I donating?
Think about a 2 liter soft drink. When you donate whole blood, you are donating roughly 1/4 of a 2 liter container, or 500 mL. This donation can save up to three people's lives and it takes less than one hour.

What should I do after I donate blood?
After you donate blood, please continue to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You will be able to donate again in 56 days or eight weeks. It will take your body about two days to replace the lost plasma and 56 days to replace the red blood cells.