Can I Donate?

Most healthy adults are eligible to give blood, however, there are some reasons a person may be deferred from donating - temporarily, indefinitely, or permanently. Deferral criteria have been established for the protection of those donating and those receiving transfusions in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, AABB standards, and Department of Defense (DoD) policies. A temporary deferral should not discourage donors from coming back. We always need donors!

In general, to donate blood you should:

Weigh at least 110 pounds
Be at least 17 years of age
Have been feeling well for at least 3 days
Be well hydrated
Have eaten something prior to donating

Donation Restrictions

There are some specific conditions and activities that may prevent a potential donor from being eligible. Some reasons for being deferred include:

If you have traveled to	Donation Restriction
Iraq, Afghanistan or other areas where malaria is endemic: - less than 5 consecutive years - greater than 5 consecutive years	- You can donate again 12 months following your return. - You can donate again 3 years following your return.
Europe: Please respond to all three questions below if you have traveled to Europe. 1. Were you in England from January 1980 - December 1996 for greater than 3 months (cumulative)? 2. Were you in Europe from January 1980 - December 1996 for greater than 6 months (cumulative)? 3. Were you in Europe from January 1980 - present for greater than 5 years (cumulative)?	- If yes, you are deferred from donating indefinitely. - If no, please go to question #2. - If yes, you are deferred from donating indefinitely. - If no, please go to question #3. - If yes, you are deferred from donating indefinitely. - If you did not respond "yes" to any of the above questions, there is no deferral for this travel.
Korea: North of Seoul, Korea (the 37.7 parallel) for - less than 5 years (cumulative) - greater than 5 years (cumulative)	- You can donate again 2 years following your return. - You can donate again 3 years following your return.
Kuwait	There is no deferral for this travel.
Qatar	There is no deferral for this travel.

Additional reasons for being deferred include:

Issue/Condition	Donation Restriction
Previous Donation	You can donate again 8 weeks after your last whole blood donation. Click here to use our whole blood donation calculator and find out when you can donate again! Please contact us for more details on platelet donation frequency guidelines.
Piercing, Brand or Tatto	You can donate again 12 months after getting the piercing, brand or tattoo. Exceptions: 1) There is no deferral for ear piercings performed using sterile, single-use equipment. 2) Some donors may be eligible to donate one week after adequate healing of the tattoo if applied in a state- regulated facility with sterile needles and single-use inks. Please contact us for more details.
Acupuncture	You can donate again 12 months after having acupuncture. Exception: If acupuncture was performed by a physician using sterile, single-use equipment, you may be eligible to donate. Please contact us for more details.
Recent Immunizations	Some immunizations do not restrict your ability to donate while others carry up to a 12-month deferral. Please contact us for more details on the deferral period for a particular immunization.
Medications	Most medications do not disqualify donation. Please contact us for more details about deferral periods for a specific medication.
Medical Conditions	Certain medical conditions may restrict your ability to donate for a short or extended period. Please contact us for more details about deferral periods for a specific condition.
Pregnancy	You can donate again 6 weeks after the end of the pregnancy.
Cold or Flu	You are eligible to donate once you have been feeling well for 3 days.
Blood Transfusion:	You can donate again 12 months following your transfusion.
HIV Risk: - Use of illegal or street drugs by needle, even once - Taking money or drugs for sex since 1977 - Male to male sexual contact, even once, since 1977 - Ongoing treatment with clotting factor concentrates for hemophilia or similar blood clotting disorders	Permanent deferral.
HIV Risk: - Sexual contact with anyone at risk for AIDS	Deferred for 12 months after the contact.
Positive HIV Test	Permanent deferral.
Viral Hepatitis at age 11 or over	Permanent deferral.
Positive Hepatitis Test	Permanent deferral.
Syphilis or Gonorrhea	Defer 12 months after completion of treatment.

We still need you!

Even if you are deferred from donating, we still need you!
When you organize a blood drive, ask others to donate, volunteer at blood drives, or simply watch a friend's children so they can donate, you play a part by helping those in need.

Bone Marrow and Organ Donation

The blood donor travel-related deferral criteria do not apply to organ and bone marrow/hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donation. Those ineligible to donate blood due to potential vCJD exposure may still be eligible to donate organs and bone marrow. Visit the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network for information on becoming an organ donor and the Department of Defense's C.W. Bill Young Marrow Donor Program to learn how to join the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry - yet another way to save a life!