Donate

To give blood, you must:

• be in generally good health, free from cold or flu symptoms for at least 48 hours before giving blood.
• be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent) There is no upper age limit.
• weigh at least 110 pounds.
• bring photo identification or BloodSource donor card.

You cannot give blood if you:

• had hepatitis after age 10.
• have or had heart problems (high blood pressure that is under control is okay; however, it must not be higher than 180 systolic and 100 diastolic).
• are pregnant or have been pregnant in the last six weeks.
• are taking antibiotics for infection. (See medications below for more information.)
• have AIDS, are at risk for AIDS, or have had sexual contact with anyone at risk for AIDS.
• had leukemia or myeloma
• superficial skin cancer is acceptable
• Most other types of cancer are acceptable if symptom free and one year after last treatment

Donors are asked about medications to indicate their general health. For example, someone who is taking drugs for cancer or heart disease will not be accepted as a blood donor.

Other medications may require that a blood donor be deferred temporarily (for example, antibiotics for an infection).

Common medications:

• Aspirin/Tylenol^®
  Plateletphereis and red blood-cell apheresis donors:
  48-hour deferral if aspirin was taken. Tylenol^® is acceptable if taken in moderate doses.
  Whole blood donors:
  Okay if not taken for cold or flu.
• Blood pressure medication
  Okay if donor meets requirement (equal to or below 180/100).
• Birth control/hormone replacement
  Okay.
• Thyroid medication
  Okay if condition is stabilized.
• Antibiotics
  Okay for skin problems (e.g. acne) only.
• Accutane, Proscar and Propecia
  One month deferral following last dose.
• Diabetes medication
  Okay if diabetes is controlled by diet or medication. (No change in medication for two weeks and free from complications.)
• Depression medication
  Okay.
• Allergy medication
  Okay.

Medications that are not acceptable:

• Tegison (etretinate)
  Cannot donate if ever taken.
• Soriatane (acitretin)
  Cannot donate for three years after last dose.
• Avodart (dutasteride)
  Cannot donate for six months after last dose.

Yes. The following are potential limitations to your eligibility to give blood:

Acne treatment: OK if taking antibiotics for acne, but one-month wait after having taken Accutane (isotretinoin).

AIDS: You cannot give blood if you are in a high-risk group for contracting AIDS. For a complete list of behaviors that disqualify people from giving blood because of high risk for AIDS, please call 800.995.4420.

Allergy: Antihistamines and/or allergy injections okay.

Body Piercing: Body piercing is okay if performed with single use or disposable equipment or performed in a doctor's office. Otherwise you must wait one year from time of procedure.

Cancer: Eligible one year after treatment is completed for most cancers except melanoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.

Cold/Flu: Must be symptom-free for at least 48 hours. Do not give blood if you have a fever, stomach or body aches, chills, diarrhea, or sore throat.

Diabetes: Acceptable if controlled by diet or medication, with no complications, and no medication change for two weeks.

Ear Piercing: Ear piercing is okay if done with a new earring and an ear piercing gun or single use or disposable equipment. Otherwise you must wait one year from time of procedure.

Drugs/Alcohol: If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, do not give blood. I.V. drug users are at great risk for hepatitis and AIDS and may not give blood.

Hepatitis/Yellow Jaundice: Permanent ineligibility of infected after age ten.

Herpes (any type): Do not donate if you are having any symptoms, such as, open or healing lesions or pain in the affected area.

HLA Antibodies: Antibodies to white blood cells sometimes develop as a result of blood transfusion or due to pregnancy. All women participating in the simple test to determine if platelet donation is an option for the future will be tested for HLA antibodies. All women who are currently donating platelets and who have been pregnant three or more times will also be tested for HLA antibodies. If HLA antibodies are detected, you remain eligible to donate much-needed whole blood, but you will be ineligible to donate platelets.

Pregnancy: Cannot donate during pregnancy. Wait six weeks after normal delivery. For Caesarean births, wait at least six weeks after doctor's release. Nursing mothers may give blood.

Tattoos: Wait one year from time of procedure.

Travel: Due to the theoretical risk of a disease in cattle (Mad Cow Disease), travel to some areas of the world could result in a deferral. (Please inquire with medical staff for specific locations.)