Blood Donor Eligibility

But, only 5% of the eligible population actually donates! Let's work together to change that! You can give blood if you are 17 years of age or, in the state of Maryland only, 16 years of age with parental consent and weigh 110 pounds or more, are in general good health, have NOT received a tattoo within the past year, and have NOT donated in the last 56 days. There are some misperceptions about who can and cannot donate. Here are some guidelines.

You Can Donate if You:

• Have high blood pressure, as long as it is below 180/100 at the time of donation (blood pressure medications do not disqualify you from donating).

• Have diabetes (controlled by diet or medication).

• Have completely recovered from surgery.

• Have had a baby six weeks prior to donation.

• Receive shots for allergies.

• Have finished taking antibiotics prior to donation.

You Cannot Donate Blood if You Have:

• Had hepatitis (a liver infection) on or after age 11.

• AIDS or have tested positive for HIV (the AIDS virus).

• Taken clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder.

• Taken illegal drugs-even once-by needle.
  

• Ever had any type of cancer of the blood or blood vessels, including leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s, and melanoma
  

Or, if on the day of the blood drive, you

• Have a sore throat, fever, flu, or productive cough.

• Are pregnant.

• Have a hemoglobin level less than 12.5 grams/dl or an hematocrit of less than 38%. These levels were approved by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that when you donate, the donation will not make you anemic. If you have hemoglobin or hematocrit levels below these cutoffs, it does not necessarily mean that you are anemic.

Or, if in the last 12 months, you have

• Had a tattoo.

• Been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea.

• Been in close contact with someone who had viral hepatitis.

• Had sex with a prostitute.

• As a woman, had sex with a man who has had sex with another man, even once.

• Had sex with someone who has taken illegal drugs by needle, taken clotting factor concentrates, or has tested positive for AIDS.

• Been diagnosed with and/or undergone treatment for any type of cancer (excluding cancers of the blood or blood vessels)

• Had a recurrence of any type of cancer (excluding cancers of the blood or blood vessels)

• NOTE: Certain exclusions apply for non-melanoma skin cancers, in-situ cancers, and those still receiving prophylactic treatments 5 years after definitive treatment. For specific questions on these and other cancer-related deferrals, please contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-272-2048.

Or, if during your international travel and/or residency, you

• Have spent a total time that adds up to 3 months in the United Kingdom from January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1996.

• Have had a blood transfusion in any country(ies) in the United Kingdom from January 1, 1980 to present.

• Were a member of the of the U.S. military, a civilian military employee, or a dependent of a member of the U.S. military who spent a total time of 6 months on or associated with a military base in any of the following areas during the specified time frames:

  • From 1980 through 1990 - Belgium, the Netherlands (Holland), or Germany.

  • From 1980 through 1996 - Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece.

• Have spent a total time that adds up to 5 years or more in any combination of country(ies) in Europe from January 1, 1980 to present.

Or, if since 1977, you

• Have ever taken drugs or money in exchange for sex.

• Are a male who has had sex with another male, even once.