Who Can Donate Blood?

All volunteer blood donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health.

Some people may be temporarily or permanently deferred from donating blood. Some of the reasons for temporary or permanent deferral are:

Temporary Deferral

• Persons who have had a heart attack within the last six months.
• Persons who have had malaria within the last three years.
• Persons who have visited a malaria-endemic area within the last year. (To view a list of malaria-endemic areas, click here)
• Persons who have received blood, plasma or other blood components within the last year.
• Persons who have been tattooed within the last year, or persons who have had their body pierced without using sterile, disposable needles within the past year.
• Women who are pregnant, or women who have given birth or had a third trimester miscarriage or abortion within the last six weeks.
• Persons who have had coronary bypass surgery within the last year, or persons who have not fully recovered from the surgery or are still taking cardiovascular medication, even after a year.
• Persons who have had epileptic seizures within the last three months.
• Persons who have had surgical removal of cancer or radiation treatment for cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) within the last five years.
• Persons who have been exposed to someone with hepatitis within the last year.
• Persons who have been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea within the last year.
• Persons who have had sex with anyone at high risk for HIV or AIDS within the last year. (Rationale for deferring those considered to be at high risk for HIV infection)
• Persons who are not feeling well on the day of donation.
• Persons who have taken antibiotics within the last 72 hours.

Permanent Deferral

• Persons who have had hepatitis at or after age 11
• Persons who have received chemotherapy treatments for cancer
• Persons who are at high risk for contracting HIV/AIDS:
  • men who had sex with another man, even once, since 1977
  • persons who have injected street drugs, including steroids, even once
  • persons who have exchanged sex for drugs or money since 1977
  • persons who have tested positive for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), indicating past exposure to the AIDS virus
  • persons who have AIDS or any of its symptoms

(Rationale for deferring those considered to be at high risk for HIV infection)

If you have questions about deferrals or the procedures for donating blood, call 1-800-843-2949, extension 5521