Last week, Highline College held a blood drive in partnership with Bloodworks Northwest. BloodWorks Northwest is a local nonprofit organization that supplies blood to 95% of hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. Just one blood donation can save up to three lives.

The blood drive was held on Wednesday, May 13 in Building 2.

Blood donation remains one of the simplest yet most impactful ways people can support their communities. A single donation can help save multiple lives, supplying hospitals with blood needed for emergency surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. 

Because blood cannot be manufactured artificially, medical centers rely entirely on volunteer donors to maintain stable supplies. During natural disasters, major accidents, or seasonal shortages, the need for donations often becomes even more urgent, highlighting how essential regular donors are to the healthcare system.

Eligibility requirements for donating blood are designed to protect both the donor and the recipient. In the United States, most donors must generally be at least 16 or 17 years old depending on state laws, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good overall health at the time of donation. 

Potential donors are also screened for certain medical conditions, medications, recent travel history, and other factors that could affect safety. Even individuals who are temporarily unable to donate may become eligible later, making blood donation an opportunity that many people can participate in throughout their lives.

For first-time donors, the process of giving blood is typically straightforward and takes less time than many people expect. Most donation centers encourage people to schedule an appointment online or walk into a local blood drive hosted by schools, workplaces, or community organizations. 

Before donating, individuals are advised to drink plenty of water, eat a healthy meal, and bring a photo ID. Once they arrive, donors complete a brief health questionnaire and undergo a quick screening that checks basic factors such as temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and iron levels to ensure they can safely donate.

The actual blood donation itself usually lasts around 10 minutes, though the entire appointment may take close to an hour including registration and recovery time. After donating, individuals are given snacks and fluids to help restore energy levels while staff monitor them briefly before they leave. 

Most donors can return to normal activities the same day, although heavy exercise is generally discouraged for several hours afterward. Many first-time donors describe the experience as far less intimidating than expected, and for many, a single appointment becomes the start of a long-term commitment to helping others through regular blood donations.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in doing but you missed the event, there are 11 Bloodworks Northwest locations across the state of Washington and it’s completely free to donate and save lives.