Johnston Memorial Blood Bank
 Giving Life Just Feels Good.
To schedule a blood donation or if you need more information, call 276-258-1710.
Every Life Matters
You may never know the lives you save, but they will never forget. Every three seconds someone in this country needs blood. From premature infants to cancer patients, every life matters, and your gift could save up to three lives. But those who choose to donate are few. Only three out of 100 actually give. Giving blood is completely safe, so please join our mission to maintain a safe and stable blood supply by making your appointment to donate blood today.
We are located at:
Johnston Memorial Blood Bank
16000 Johnston Memorial Drive
Abingdon, VA 24211
Our Blood Drive Schedule
Blood Donor Qualifications
Age: 16 years old or older. First-time donors over the age of 65 must have permission from their doctor.
Weight: Minimum of 120 pounds
Medications: If you are taking vitamins, hormones, birth control pills or medications for high blood pressure, you may donate unless underlying health history indicates otherwise. Many medications are acceptable, so please check with us before declining to donate.
Please bring a list of your medications.
Medical History
You may not donate blood if your history includes:
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Hepatitis after age 11
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Cancer (other than minor skin cancer)
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Diabetes requiring insulin (acceptable if glucose is 180 or lower on day of donation)
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Heart, lung, kidney, liver or stomach disease may or may not prevent you from donating.
Contact the blood bank for more information.
You may be temporarily deferred if you have/had:
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Recent flu or current cold, sore throat or fever
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Close contact with a person with hepatitis in the last 12 months
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Tattoo in the past 12 months (ear or skin piercing acceptable if performed by sterile
technique)
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Active infection or disease presently requiring prescribed medication
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Allergy injections within the past 6 hours and flu shots within the past two weeks
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Blood transfusion in the past 12 months
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In the past three years lived in or in the past 12 months visited a malaria-epidemic area
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Spent a total time of three months visiting or living in the United Kingdom from 1980
through 1996
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Spent six months associated with the military in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain,
Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece
People in the following high-risk groups for AIDS may not donate blood:
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People with clinical or laboratory evidence of the AIDS virus infection
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Past or present intravenous drug users
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People who engage in sex for money or drugs
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Men who have had sex with another male, even a single time
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Anyone with hemophilia who has received clotting factor concentrates
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Sexual partners of people in the above categories
Tips for Donation
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Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.
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Bring your driver's license and social security number for identification.
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Bring a list of medications that you are taking.
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Eat a meal at least four hours before donating blood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will it hurt?
A: There is very little discomfort involved. Donors say that it feels much like a pinch on the inside of the arm.
Q: Will I feel dizzy?
A: Probably not. Every precaution is taken before, during and after your donation to ensure that you will be a suitable candidate for donating.
After you've donated, refreshments will be served to restore your energy.
Q: Is it safe to run and exercise after donating?
A : Yes, provided you feel up to it. Most donors are able to resume their normal daily activities. However, donors are cautioned not to engage in
extremely rigorous activities.
Q: What if I'm anemic?
A: Anemia is not always a permanent condition. Therefore, unless you are under a physician's care for anemia, you are probably a suitable
donor. If you are still in doubt, sign up to donate anyway. A hematocrit test, using a small blood sample taken from the donor's finger, can
determine who can safely donate.
Q: How much blood do you take?
A: Approximately 1 pint.
Q: How long does it take to replace the blood I've donated?
A: The body acts immediately to restore the blood that is given. Fluid stored in the tissues returns to the bloodstream, and the red blood cell
production speeds up. A donor's blood volume is restored in several hours to a few days. The red blood cells replace themselves more slowly, but
their volume is restored well within the interval required between donations.
Q: Can I get AIDS from donating blood?
A: No. New, sterile needles and bag systems are used for each and every donor.
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