Donor Eligibility

Below is a list of requirements and guidelines for donating blood. If you are not sure of your eligibility to donate blood, contact Donor Support at (563) 359-5401 x119 or (800) 747-5401 x119.

Age: You must be 17 years old, or 16 years old with a parental consent form.

Weight: at least 110 pounds.

Health: You must be in good health and feeling well on the day of donation. Prospective donors should eat a full meal within four hours of donating, avoiding fried, fatty foods and whole dairy products.

I.D. required to donate: Donor card, driver’s license, other form of identification (photo ID preferred)

Allergy shots: Acceptable

Antibiotics: Complexion and prevention of urinary tract infection (women only) – acceptable, other – 48 hours after final dose, if the reason for taking the antibiotics has been eliminated. If antibiotics were received by injection, you must wait 2 weeks before donating.

Autologous (Self-donation): eligible one year after surgery.

Blood donation: Whole blood: 56 days (8 weeks) since last donation. Automated, double red cells: 112 days.

Blood transfusion: one year after receiving blood or blood products.

Cancer: One year after treatment completed with no recurrence. Leukemia and Lymphomas cannot be accepted. Carcinoma in situ of cervix is acceptable. Skin cancer is usually acceptable if basal or squamous cell. Melanoma –one year after completion of treatment and no recurrence.

Colds: Accept if no fever and not on antibiotics. Over the counter cold remedies are acceptable if the donor feels well.

Contact with HIV/AIDS: Eligible after 12 months in most circumstances.

Dental work: Eligible 24 hours after dental procedures if no infection and not receiving antibiotics.

Diabetes: Acceptable if well on day of donation.

Ears or skin pierced: Acceptable if sterile, single use equipment was used. Otherwise: 12 month deferral. Acupuncture acceptable if performed using sterile or single-use needle.

Tattoos: Acceptable if tattoo was applied in a licensed facility in a regulated state. Otherwise: 12 month deferral.

Epilepsy Medications: Acceptable if seizure-free for 3 months.

Hay Fever: Acceptable. Hay fever remedies are acceptable.

Heart Conditions: Generally acceptable after 6 months if under physician’s care, stable and not restricted from activities of daily living. Heart attack is acceptable after 6 months if stable and no restrictions. Heart surgery acceptable after 12 months if stable and not restricted from activities of daily living.

Herpes Simplex 1: (Cold Sore) Acceptable, when outbreak is dry and crusted.

Herpes Simplex 2: (Venereal) Acceptable, when outbreak is dry and crusted.

Major surgery: Acceptable after release from physician’s care, infection-free and return to normal activities, and if no blood transfusions received.

Medications: vitamins, hormones, birth control pills, thyroid medications, aspirin, fertility drugs, non-steroid anti-inflammatory and pain medications are all acceptable.

Minor surgery: Acceptable if no sign of infection. Stitches and cast are acceptable.

Pregnancy: Acceptable 6 weeks after delivery or termination of pregnancy. Breast-feeding is acceptable.

Ulcers: Most medications are acceptable if symptom-free at time of donation.

Vaccinations: 21 days after hepatitis B or combination Hepatitis B and A vaccines (Heptavax, Energix, Recombivax), 4 weeks after MMR and chickenpox (herpes zoster vaccine or Varivax). Flu shots are acceptable.

If you have had the following, you cannot donate blood:

• Blood disease, such as leukemia.

• Hepatitis: contracted after the age of 11 or previous positive hepatitis test.

• HIV: positive test or risk of infection.

• Lymphoma.

• Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease: If you have lived in or traveled to the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Falkland Islands and Isle of Man) for a cumulative time of 3 months or more between 1980 and 1996 or since 1980, if you have spent time that adds up to 5 years or more in Europe (including time spent in the UK from 1980-1996). Also if associated with a military base in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece for 6 months from 1980-1996 or a military base in Belgium, Netherlands or Germany for 6 months from 1980-1990.

• In the past 3 years you have taken Etretinate (Tegison) or Acitretin (Soriatane).

• In the past 6 months you have taken Dutasteride (Avodart) or Jalyn.

• In the past 1 month you have taken Finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) Isotretinoin (Accutane) or Misoprostol (Arthrotec).

If you are not sure of your eligibility to donate blood, contact Donor Support at (563) 359-5401 x119 or (800) 747-5401 x119.