Become a donor
4 easy steps to becoming a donor at Canventa
1 Schedule your donor screening appointment
Use our online calendar booking tool to find an available time.
2 Complete the donor questionnaire
At your first appointment, you’ll be asked to complete a short questionnaire to determine if you’re eligible to donate. This includes questions about basic medical history and medications you may take. Once a staff member reviews your completed questionnaire, you will be asked to consent to an Infectious Disease Screening (IDS) blood draw during that same visit.
3 Infectious Disease Screening
All Canventa Life Sciences donors must have a current Infectious Disease Screening (IDS) on file before donating blood for research. Each screening remains valid for six months, after which it expires. If more than six months pass between donations, donors must complete a new IDS appointment to stay eligible.
During each screening, a small blood sample—about one tablespoon—is collected to test for HIV-1, HIV-2, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. These tests ensure all research blood samples meet the highest safety and quality standards.
4 Schedule your donation
Please contact us by phone or email one week after completion of your IDS appointment to confirm your donation eligibility and set up an appointment for your first donation.
What is a donor screening appointment?
Your donor screening appointment at Canventa Life Sciences is the first step in joining our paid blood donation program. This visit ensures that donating is safe for you and that your blood can be used responsibly for medical research.
During your appointment, you’ll complete a confidential health questionnaire covering your medical history and current medications. After a staff review, you’ll take part in a standard infectious disease screening (IDS), where a small blood sample—about one tablespoon—is collected to test for HIV-1, HIV-2, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
This screening protects researchers and ensures that all research blood samples meet safety standards. The process takes about 45 minutes, and your test results remain valid for 90 days. Once cleared, you’ll receive instructions on how to schedule your first paid blood donation.
To qualify, donors must be in excellent health, ages 18–55, weigh at least 140 pounds, and be a U.S. citizen.
How to prepare for your donation
Proper preparation helps ensure a safe, comfortable, and successful paid blood donation at Canventa Life Sciences. Follow these recommended steps before your appointment:
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Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your donation. Aim for at least 3 liters over the three days before your appointment.
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Eat a healthy meal: Have a balanced dinner the night before, avoiding foods high in fat or cholesterol. On the morning of your donation, enjoy a light breakfast such as a banana or oatmeal.
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Get adequate rest: Ensure a full night’s sleep before your appointment and avoid alcohol or excessive caffeine. Arrive feeling well-rested.
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Dress comfortably: Wear warm, comfortable clothing. Shower before your visit for hygiene and comfort.
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Bring essentials: Bring a valid government-issued ID and optional reading materials (iPads are available for use during your appointment).
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Arrive on time: Punctuality helps keep your appointment smooth and efficient.
Following these steps supports both your well-being and the success of your research blood donation, helping scientists advance critical medical discoveries.
What happens at my donation?
Learn more about what happens during your donation at Canventa.
1 General health check
Our registered nurses will perform a general assessment of your health.
2 Donate
Eligible donors are then invited to complete documentation and a 10 minute to 3.5 hour donation depending on the donation type (whole blood or leukapheresis).
3 During your donation
During your donation, simply relax and listen to the directions from the nursing and medical staff who will explain the collection process. During your leukapheresis donation, you can enjoy one of our iPads to watch a movie, show, or browse the internet with our free wifi.
4 After your donation
Replenish your glucose levels with a complimentary snack and juice following your appointment. Continue to drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity for the remainder of the day.
5 Compensation
Upon completion of your donation, head to our front desk, where we’ll set up the details of your compensation for your time and effort in giving life to research. You will receive compensation for your time and effort in the form of a check immediately after your successful donation!
6 Become a repeat donor
Repeat donors are highly requested by researchers as they provide a reliable and consistent sample source for long-term research projects or large-scale experiments. You may be eligible to donated again, repeatedly at set frequencies depending on the donation type.
What happens to my donation?
After your blood donation, samples are carefully processed and prepared for medical research at Canventa Life Sciences. Each sample is tested, documented, and converted into ready-to-use research materials that help scientists study diseases and develop new treatments.
1 Donate
Your whole blood or leukapheresis donations provide important starting materials for researchers.
2 Sample preparation
Your donated sample is prepared for distribution in our Manufacturing Lab.
3 Cell isolation
In some cases, researchers prefer to have specific cells isolated from the blood prior to their experiments.
4 Delivery of cells
Fresh or frozen cells are shipped to researchers around the world through our distribution network.
5 Research and development
Providing researchers with samples enables them to focus on their next breakthrough.
6 An approved therapy
As a donor, you are helping to reduce the amount of time it takes for research to become a therapy.