Donating blood isn't hard to do, but it will go quicker if you have a lot of fluids in your system. If you are more hydrated, your veins will be easier to find and your blood will flow more easily. The American Red Cross suggests drinking an extra 16 ounces of water before and after your donation —even if you don‘t feel thirsty.

Avoid alcohol, soda or drinks with caffeine. Several people who donate regularly say that drinking lots of grape juice helps makes the blood move more quickly. Having a fair amount of sugar in your blood will also make it easier for your blood sugar to stay level during and after donation.

Eating water-rich foods can help keep you hydrated as well.  The top five foods recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are:

• Crisp Lettuce (96 percent water)


• Watermelon (91 percent water)


• Grapefruit (90 percent water)


• Broccoli (89 percent water)


• Low Fat Milk and Yogurt (89 percent and 85 percent water respectively)

The next blood drives at Upstate take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 in Café 750 on the second floor of Upstate University Hospital in downtown Syracuse. Then, blood drives will be held noon to 6 pm. Wednesday, Nov. 6 and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 in classrooms A and B on the Upstate University Hospital Community Campus.

To schedule an appointment, contact Brenda Poehlman at 315-464-5738 or poehlmab@upstate.edu.

Blood donations help reduce hospital costs