Giving Blood
Am I Eligible?
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Most healthy adults can give blood through the American Red Cross. You meet the basic eligibility requirements if you
- are at least 17 years old
- weigh at least 110 pounds
- are in good health on the day of donation
- have no history of exposure to hepatitis or AIDS
- your last blood donation was at least 56 days (8 weeks) ago
ONLINE BLOOD DONATION CALCULATOR ~ Find out when you're eligible to donate again!
More Detailed Eligibility Information
Certain medications, health problems or conditions may disqualify you from donating blood. For example, if you are pregnant, or have a fever when you come in to donate, or have angina, you cannot donate blood.
Prior to donating, qualified staff will ask you to answer a series of questions about
travel and health. Your responses help determine if there is any reason that might disqualify you from donating, such as travel to some countries or certain medical conditions. We will also take your temperature and pulse, and take a drop of blood from a finger to determine the iron level in your blood.
You can review some of the eligibility requirements from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that we must comply with.
More information about travel to the United Kingdom and Europe.
More information about travel to malarial areas.
Information about leishmaniasis.
Information about male-to-male sex.
Contact Us
If you have questions about your eligibility to donate blood, don't hesitate to contact us.
Phone:
781-461-2000 or toll free at 1-800-462-9400
E-mail:
dembeckc@usa.redcross.org
We welcome your questions.
Basic Eligibility | More Complete Information
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