Whole blood is the most common form of blood donation. It takes about one hour - including interview and refreshment period - and you can donate whole blood at a blood drive or at the blood center. In a whole blood donation, a single unit (about one pint) is collected from one arm. You can donate whole blood every 56 days. Volunteer blood donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with written parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Whole blood is then separated into its individual components—packed red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. This means your whole blood donation can help several people!