Eligibility

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

MEASLES ELIGIBILITY: If you have been exposed to measles and/or may be at risk of infection, there is 21-day self-deferral period before donating. If you have recently received a vaccination for measles, there is a waiting period. The MMR vaccine is a 28-day deferral, and the live measles vaccine is a 14-day deferral.

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 [email protected] 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 a low Hemoglobin/Hematocrit level?

Wait one day for levels to rise.

I am taking testosterone (TRT)?

If you are taking TRT, you may donate blood if you meet all general donor qualifications. At your appointment, let a technician know you are taking TRT, so we can add a comment to your profile. An order form is required from your prescribing physician if you do not meet donor qualifications, or if your physician wants you to donate more frequently than allowed. If we must utilize the physician order form, you will schedule appointment with the clinical services department at our Lamar location. Learn more about therapeutic phlebotomy and access forms and contact information.

I have hereditary hemochromatosis (HH)?

If you have a diagnosis of HH, we will need an enrollment form from your physician which will act as an order to give blood. Once we receive the order, we will put a note on your profile, and you can start donating.

If your physician wants you to donate more frequently than allowed or you do not meet general donor qualifications, you will need to schedule donations through the clinical services department at our Lamar location. Learn more about therapeutic phlebotomy and access forms and contact information.

I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED OR SUSPECTED OF HAVING COVID-19 OR HAVE CARED FOR, LIVED WITH, OR HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH AN INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED OR SUSPECTED OF HAVING COVID-19?

Please wait 10 days after complete resolution of COVID-19 symptoms before donating. If you test positive, but experience no symptoms, please wait 10 days from the date of your positive result before donating.

According to the CDC, possible symptoms can include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Experiencing any signs of illness, would result in a deferral until symptoms are cleared.

I have exposure risk factors to AIDS/HIV?

You can donate after 3 months from exposure.  If you are currently deferred contact [email protected] or call us at 512-206-1108 for evaluation.

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

Must wait 120 days after symptoms disappear.

I have syphilis or gonorrhea?

You may donate 3 months later.

I am pregnant?

You must wait until 6-weeks post-delivery.

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

You may donate 12 months later.

I have had a heart attack?

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

I have diabetes?

You may donate even if you have diabetes.

I have cold or flu symptoms?

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

I have Chagas’ disease and babeiosis?

Cannot donate.

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 [email protected].

I have Squamous Cell of the Skin?

You can donate as early as one week after removal.

I have Basal Cell Carcinoma?

You can donate as early as one day after removal.

I have or had Leukemia, Lymphoma or another hematological malignancy?

Cannot donate.

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.

.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].

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

I am on PrEP or PEP?

PrEP and PEP are highly effective preventative medications when taken as prescribed. While these medications are effective at preventing the transmission of HIV during sexual activity, the same is not true during a blood transfusion due to the volume of blood. In the event of a potential breakthrough infection in an individual taking PrEP or PEP, the FDA is concerned about the risk of undetectable levels of HIV not being caught by current testing and posing a risk to a patient who is transfused. For now, individuals who take PrEP or PEP are unable to donate for 3 months from their last oral dose or 2 years from their last injectable dose.

Travel Questions

Can I donate if I’ve traveled to:

Iraq?

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 [email protected] for further evaluation.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 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.

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.

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 [email protected].

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.