Donate Blood for Research

There’s more than one way to donate blood and make a difference for children. Along with blood for transfusions, Children’s Hospital Colorado also needs blood to conduct various research programs. Giving blood for research purposes is a great way to give back and advance health research, especially if you may not meet standard eligibility requirements for donating blood to a patient.

Why donating blood for research matters

Your blood donation can help us study new ways to treat children. Our research team uses what they learn to develop technologies that make blood donation and patient blood therapy even safer and more efficient.

We also use blood donations to pioneer new ways to treat patients of all ages. As a nonprofit, mission-driven hospital, Children’s Colorado supports our broader community during times of crisis. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our researchers joined the nationwide effort to assess experimental treatments for COVID-19.

Who can donate blood for research

Almost all healthy adults are eligible to donate blood for research because we don’t use these donations for transfusion. This means we can accept many donations from people who don’t qualify for traditional blood donation. We also accept all blood types, and we have an especially high need for Type A+ donors.

You may be able to donate blood for research even if you haven’t been eligible in the past because of factors such as:

• Recent travel
• Excess iron in your blood (hemochromatosis)
• Tattoos or piercings

Generally, to donate blood for research purposes you must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be in good general health
• Weigh at least 115 pounds
• You may need to complete a quick, one-time blood draw before donating

Learn more about what to expect before, during and after your donation, and for more information about donations, call 720-777-5398 or email Donate4Kids@childrenscolorado.org.