We are here to bridge the gap between researchers who are looking for cures and donors who are looking to help. Our donor program invites healthy people to participate in research studies by donating a variety of blood cell types and other biospecimens. We are different from a blood bank that collects blood to transfuse into patients. These samples go to medical and scientific researchers all over the world who are developing medical breakthroughs.

Participation in our program is completely voluntary and our donors are compensated for their dedicated time and effort.

As a donor with Discovery, you are a study participant. This means your participation is voluntary and you can discontinue your participation at any time. This also means Discovery clinical staff may determine that your participation is no longer suitable for any or all of the studies at any time. Our program has IRB (Independent Review Board) oversight, independent of our organization, to help assure the rights and welfare of our donors.

You’re not alone! Donating blood for research has been around for a long time and after more than 14 years in operation, we like to think we have perfected the donor experience. At Discovery Donor Center, we put our donors first. Your consent is required to donate with Discovery, and we’re here to make sure that the donation process is clear and that you always feel comfortable.

Becoming a part of our Discovery Donor Network is easy!
1. Complete the online screening form
2. Schedule an on-site screening or screening phone call (dependent on your medical background reflected in the online screening form)
3. Donate!
4. Receive your compensation.
5. Donate Again!

Whether you are asked to complete an on-site screening or are contacted for a screening phone call, you will be asked to complete a thorough medical questionnaire to complete your profile and determine which open studies you are eligible for. Donor Eligibility is at the sole discretion of Discovery Donor Center.

We are different from a traditional blood donation center. These are not automatic disqualifiers and are usually acceptable for most of our research grade collections.

All donations with Discovery Donor Center are by APPOINTMENT ONLY. This is due to the unique requests we receive from researchers. Our Donor Care Team dedicates a lot of time and effort to scheduling donors that meet specific criteria and have the availability to schedule.

Research studies have much different requirements than plasma centers or blood banks. As a study participant, you must be able to complete all steps of the screening and donation processes independently and without assistance. Additionally, the criteria that determines study qualification are different than what is considered “eligible” with plasma centers or blood banks.

Donating with multiple organizations is a very serious safety risk that could result in a donor giving more blood/cells than is safely recommended. Due to privacy laws, we do not share donor information with other donation centers. Therefore, donors with Discovery are asked to refrain from donating blood or any other blood product to other facilities during their study participation. Any indication to Discovery staff that a donor is donating elsewhere while enrolled in our program will result in disqualification.

We will process your screening form on the next business day and reach out to schedule your on-site screening or complete a phone screening to further determine your eligibility. You can call us at 1-844-709-3669 to receive one on one assistance from a Discovery Donor Care team member.

Your first screening will take a little over an hour (we ask our donors to arrive 15 minutes early to complete the required paperwork). Subsequent re-screenings are required every 3 months and take about 45 minutes. On-site screenings are intended to collect a comprehensive medical history background, assess your veins, height, weight and vital signs to ultimately determine which of our studies you qualify for. This screening process requires the following:

• Independent completion of written paperwork
• Physical ambulation throughout the process (standing on scale, transferring to collection chair, etc.)

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations, as allowed within our study requirements, for individuals who may need them to participate. If you require assistance or are unsure if you will require assistance, please contact our Donor Care Team at donate@dls.com or call 844-709-3669.

Please note: you may be informed that you do not qualify for any of our available collection types. This is not a representation of your health, it just means you do not fit the requirements for our open studies.

While this is not a strict requirement, it is strongly recommended. This is not intended to deter your participation, but to recognize that your time is valuable. In our experience we have found donors who live outside the recommended distance often find it difficult to arrive early or on time to their scheduled appointments. Researchers are waiting for the specimen you are donating so participation in our program involves multiple regular visits that MUST start on time.

If you regularly frequent the area and are willing to commit to arriving on time, you will not be disqualified from participation due to your home address.

We get many requests from our researchers that include different criteria depending on the study. You will be contacted by our Donor Care team when you meet the criteria for a particular collection. When you are selected, the Donor Care team will talk to you about the study, answer any questions, and confirm your appointment information.

Appointments are first-come first-serve and may be offered to multiple donors at the same time; it is pertinent that you respond timely to secure or decline your appointment. Researcher requests come in daily, so we will continue to reach out to you as requests match your profile. Make sure you answer our texts, emails or calls!

Discovery Donor Center now offers electronic payments. Our donors can decide how to receive their compensation by choosing one of the following: Virtual Debit Card, PayPal, Venmo, or direct transfer to personal bank account (with no extra fees!)

You will be compensated based on the donation type(s) you qualify for. Compensation rates vary by location as well as the time and effort of each donation type.

Our viral lab tests are used for screening purposes only; we are not a diagnostic facility. If we draw your blood for viral tests and an abnormal result is received, you will only receive a call from our medical staff who will advise you to follow up with your own primary care facility.

Yes, you will be able to drive yourself home after all our collection types. If you prefer to have a family member or friend drive you, please keep in mind that we do not allow guests (of any age) to wait in our facility during your appointments; please make alternate arrangements.

The procedure for donating bone marrow has developed a great deal in the past few years. This minimally invasive procedure will have some discomfort; however, donors are able to drive themselves home after their donation. Many of our donors return to donate bone marrow again!

Generally, only one donation is provided per visit. There may be instances where we may request a whole blood donation in addition to other scheduled donations on the same day.

Additionally, our whole blood donation studies encompass multiple types of biospecimens (e.g. blood, saliva, nasal swabs, urine, etc.). There may be instances where we may request multiple types of samples be collected during a single whole blood appointment.

Both instances are strictly dependent on donor eligibility and total blood volume.

The frequency in which you can donate varies by donation type and total blood volume. For donor safety, we track your total blood volume donated; each donor may not donate more than 550mLs of whole blood in an 8-week period. The deferral periods between other donation types vary based on our protocols and your eligibility as a donor and are between 2 weeks and 6 months. Our Donor Care Team will contact you to schedule when an order is available.