Jan 19, 2026
Donating blood is safe and simple. Signing in and doing the health check can take 30–45 minutes. Whether you choose to give through a mobile blood drive or at a donation center, the process is very similar. Tonight, on House Call a medical professional from UHC explains the importance of blood donation.
1). How long does it take?
Donating whole blood typically takes about one hour total, with the actual needle stick and blood draw lasting only 8-10 minutes, though the entire visit includes registration, a health screening, and refreshments afterward.
2). How much blood is taken?
When you donate blood, a healthcare worker cleans a spot on your arm, inserts a new sterile needle into a vein (usually at the elbow), and collects about a pint of blood into a bag, taking 8-10 minutes while you relax and squeeze a ball to help flow. The entire process is safe, quick, and uses fresh equipment for each donor. One pint of blood is about 10% of the average adult’s blood volume.
3). Does it hurt?
No, blood donation doesn’t really hurt; you’ll feel a quick, sharp pinch when the needle goes in, similar to a flu shot, but then it’s mostly just a little pressure, making it a relatively painless experience for most people, with the main discomfort being a momentary sting and perhaps slight arm soreness or bruising afterward.
UHC is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, February 4 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at The Bridge Sports Complex, located at 440 Forrester Boulevard in Bridgeport, on Court 1. To schedule an appointment to donate, please call 1-877-25VITAL (1-877-258-4825).
This content was originally posted on the WDTV News website here.
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