Are you interested in donating blood, but you’re not sure if you are eligible? We get it! Blood donor eligibility can be confusing, especially because much has changed over the years.
And while we are grateful to the 3% of the population that does roll up their sleeves to donate – ConnectLife is always ready to welcome new donors. Whether you are interested in donating whole blood, platelets, or double red cells – each type of donation has different requirements for donors. Let’s walk through those below.
Basic requirements for whole blood donors…
The minimum age is 17 years old. (16-year-olds may donate ONLY with a signed ConnectLife parental consent.)
The maximum age is 75 years old. (If older than 75, donors can donate if qualified after a medical history and physical examination with an OK from our medical director.)
The minimum weight is 120 pounds.
And there is no minimum height!
Basic requirements for double red cell donors…
The minimum age is 17 years old.
The maximum age is 75 years old. (If older than 75, donors can donate if qualified after a medical history and physical examination with an OK from our medical director.)
The minimum weight for men is 130 pounds and for women is 150 pounds.
The minimum height for men is 5’1” and for women is 5’5”.
Basic requirements for platelet donors….
The minimum age is 17 years old.
The maximum age is 75 years old. (If older than 75, donors can donate if qualified after a medical history and physical examination with an OK from our medical director.)
The minimum weight is 110 pounds.
And there is no minimum height!
In addition to these basic requirements, ConnectLife also asks that blood donors come prepared to donate!
You must be feeling healthy and well.
You must not have gotten a tattoo in the past three months.
You must be hydrated!
Your hemoglobin level must meet the minimum requirements which are 12.5 g/dL for female donors and 13.0 g/dL for male donors.
Here’s where it can get confusing. There are other guidelines that ConnectLife and other blood banks across the United States must follow in order to maintain a healthy and safe blood supply. Those include the following…
Individual Donor Assessments: On May 11, 2023, the FDA released final guidance establishing a blood donor screening process based on individual donor assessments. Until now, men who had sex with men in the last three months were deferred from donating within three months of their last sexual encounter. For more information on this, please read our blog “ConnectLife Supports FDA Guidance Implementing Individual Donor Assessments Change.”
Medical Conditions/Procedures: People with a history of cancer, diseases, or health conditions like sickle cell disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or pregnancy should give us a call to speak about eligibility. If you have had surgery without a blood transfusion or a bone or tissue graft from self or synthetic, you are eligible when you healed and feeling well. If you have received a blood transfusion or a bone or tissue graft from another person, you must wait three months until eligible.
Medications: Most medications are safe for donation. For allergy shots, you can donate immediately. For antibiotics, you must have completed taking them and be free from sickness. If you are taking Aspirin, if it acceptable for whole blood donations, although for platelet donations you must wait three full days after the last dose.
Tattoos and Piercings: You cannot donate blood if you got a tattoo (including permanent make-up or microblading) or self-piercing in the last three months.
Travel: Travel within the US and Canada is acceptable. Some other travel destinations may require temporary waiting periods or could cause permanent deferral due to high risk for malaria. A complete evaluation can be made during donor screening or contact us for further information.
Travel to malaria risk area – Deferral period is three months after departure.
Residence (lived > 5 years) in a malaria risk area – Deferral period is three years after departure.
Vaccinations: Depending on the vaccine there are different requirements.
Flu, Gardasil (for HPV), Pneumonia, and Shingrix (for Shingles) – Can donate immediately.
Hepatitis B – There is a 21-day waiting period. If post-exposure, deferral is 3 months.
Measles/Mumps/Rubella and Zostavax (for Shingles) – Waiting period is 4 weeks.
Looking for more answers? Download this Blood Donor Eligibility PDF below. If you need to call for specific questions call 716-529-4270.