Eligibility

Donating blood can be a confusing process – we get it.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW FDA GUIDANCE ISSUED ON MAY 11, 2023 REGARDING DONOR ELIGIBILITY, PLEASE READ OUR BLOG POST HERE.

Some health conditions, medications, and travel locations may temporarily or permanently prevent people from donating blood. Eligible donors are in good health, at least 17 years old, and weigh at least 115 pounds (for whole blood donations) or 110 pounds (for platelet donations).

One thing we ask is that you do not defer yourself. If you have questions on any of our eligibility regulations, you may call 512-206-1108 or email whocandonate@weareblood.org at any time. We would love to help you figure it out!

Below are our most common eligibility questions.

Medical Conditions

Can I donate if:

I have Leukemia, Lymphoma or another hematological malignancy?

Cannot donate.

I have Basal Cell Carcinoma?

You can donate as early as one day after removal.

You have been diagnosed with, suspected of having COVID-19 or Have cared for, lived with, or otherwise had close contact with individuals diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms.

  • At least 10 days after complete resolution of COVID-19 symptoms  OR
  • At least 10 days after a positive test, if no symptoms occurred

I have Squamous Cell of the Skin?

You can donate as early as one week after removal.

I have cancer?

If it has been more than 1 year since the end of your treatment, you may be able to donate. Please call 512-206-1108 or email whocandonate@weareblood.org.

I have Chagas’ disease and babeiosis?

Cannot donate.

I have cold or flu symptoms?

Wait until you have felt well for at least one day.

I have diabetes?

You may donate even if you have diabetes.

I have had a heart attack?

You may be able to donate 12-months after a heart attack.

I have a low Hemoglobin/Hematocrit level?

Wait one day for levels to rise.

I have had hepatitis exposure or hepatitis B immune globulin shot?

You may donate 12 months later.

I am pregnant?

You must wait until 6-weeks post-delivery.

I have syphilis or gonorrhea?

You may donate 3 months later.

I had West Nile Virus, but am no longer symptomatic?

Must wait 120 days after symptoms disappear.

I have exposure risk factors to AIDS/HIV?

You can donate after 3 months from exposure.  If you are currently deferred contact whocandonate@weareblood.org or call us at 512-206-1108 for evaluation.

I tested positive for HLA antibodies after my pregnancy?

All donors who volunteer that they have been pregnant have their donations tested for HLA antibodies. If positive, a donor can no longer donate platelets but can donate whole blood. Once HLA antibodies develop, they are present forever. The antibodies could be harmful if transfused via platelets into certain patients. For More Information Click Here

I have AIDS/HIV?

Regrettably, you cannot donate.

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Medical Procedures

Can I donate if:

I received a blood transfusion, skin graft or tissue transplant?

You may donate 3 months later.

I received a cornea transplant?

You may donate 12 months later.

I received a dura mater (brain covering) graft?

Cannot donate.

I had heart surgery due to heart attack?

You may be able to donate 12 months after a heart attack.

I received human growth hormone prior to 1985?

Please call 512-206-1108 or email whocandonate@weareblood.org so we can gather more information.

I have a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator?

Cannot donate.

I had a colonoscopy?

You may donate if you have had a recent colonoscopy.

Medications

Can I donate if:

I am on Accutane (Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret, Isotretinoin, Absorica, Myorisan, Zenatane)?

Wait until 1-month after completion.

I am on an experimental medication?

You may donate 12-months after completion.

I am on Jalyn?

You may donate 6-months after completion.

I am on Acitretin (Soriatane)?

There is a 3-year wait after completion.

I am on antibiotics for an infection?

Wait until 1-day after completion and no signs or symptoms of infection remain.

I am on Aspirin, Feldene, Piroxicam or any aspirin-containing product?

There is no wait if you are donating whole blood. A 48-hour wait for apheresis platelet donation.

I have on Avodart (Dutasteride)?

You may donate 6-months after completion.

I am on beef insulin?

Call 512-206-1108 or email whocandonate@weareblood.org.

I am on Coumadin, Wafilone, Jantoven (Warfarin)?

You may donate 7-days after completion.

I am on Pradaxa (dabigatran), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), Eliquis (apixaban), Lovenox (enoxaparin), Fragmin (dalteparin), heparin or derivatives?

You may donate 2 days after completion of PRADAXA (DABIGATRAN), XARELTO (RIVAROXABAN), ELIQUIS (APIXABAN), LOVENOX (ENOXAPARIN), FRAGMIN (DALTEPARIN). You may donate 7 days after completion of Heparin or derivatives.

I am on Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine)?

For whole blood donation, there is no wait. For platelet donation, you may donate 2-weeks after completion.

I am on Proscar (Finasteride) or Propecia?

You may donate 1-month after completion.

I am on Effient (prasugrel)

You may donate 3 days after completion

I am on Brilinta (ticagrelor)

You may donate 7 days after completion

Travel Questions

Can I donate if I’ve traveled to:

Iraq?

You may donate 3 months after your return.

A malaria area?

You may donate 3 months after your return if you have never lived in a malaria endemic country. If you have contact call 512-206-1108 or email whocandonate@weareblood.org for further evaluation.

I moved to the U.S. from a malaria area?

You may donate 3 years after your immigration if you have not had any further malaria risk travel since immigrating. If you had malaria risk travel since your immigration date contact call 512-206-1108 or email whocandonate@weareblood.org for further evaluation.

I spent a cumulative of 3 months or more in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, and Falkland Islands) from 01/01/1980 to 12/31/1996?

You may now be eligible to donate! Individuals who have attempted to donate at We Are Blood in the past, but were deferred to geographic risk for vCJD will need to submit their information for re-entry here.

I received a transfusion of blood, platelets, plasma, cryoprecipitate, or granulocytes in the United Kingdom, Ireland or France since 01/01/1980?

You may now be eligible to donate! Individuals who have attempted to donate at We Are Blood in the past, but were deferred to geographic risk for vCJD will need to submit their information for re-entry here.

I was a member of the U.S. Military, a civilian military employee, or a dependent of a member of the US Military from 01/01/1980 to 12/31/1996 and spent a cumulative of 6 months or more associated with a military base in any of the following countries: Belgium, The Netherlands, or Germany (from 01/01/1980 to 12/31/1990); or Spain, Portugal,Turkey, Italy, or Greece (From 01/01/1980 to 12/31/1996).

You may now be eligible to donate! Individuals who have attempted to donate at We Are Blood in the past, but were deferred to geographic risk for vCJD will need to submit their information for re-entry here.

I spent a cumulative time of 5 years or more in Europe between 1980 through present?

You may now be eligible to donate! Individuals who have attempted to donate at We Are Blood in the past, but were deferred to geographic risk for vCJD will need to submit their information for re-entry here.

I spent a cumulative time of 5 years or more in France or Ireland between 1980 and 2001.

You may now be eligible to donate! Individuals who have attempted to donate at We Are Blood in the past, but were deferred to geographic risk for vCJD will need to submit their information for re-entry here.

Vaccinations

Can I donate if:

I just received a flu shot?

Yes!

I just received the smallpox vaccination?

Wait 8 weeks.

I just received the Hepatitis B vaccination?

Wait 2 weeks.

I received an unlicensed vaccine?

Wait 1 year.

I received any other vaccination?

Call 512-206-1108 or email whocandonate@weareblood.org.

Can I Donate Blood or Platelets After Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Yes, if you have received either the FDA authorized or approved Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines and you meet all blood donor eligibility criteria to be a blood and/or platelet donor. There is no deferral period for these vaccines.