Am I eligible to donate blood?
UPDATE: On April 2, 2020 the FDA issued a new guidance on deferral criteria for a number of areas, including a revised deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM); Variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease, tattoos/piercings, travel, and others. We applaud the FDA’s decision an important step toward creating an equal opportunity to save lives. Bloodworks is working quickly to assess our timeline to implement these changes so more donors have the opportunity to give blood to support local patients. Read announcement.
Who can donate?
- Anyone who is in good health, at least 18 years old, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate whole blood every 56 days.
- 16 or 17 year olds who weigh at least 114 pounds may donate with a Bloodworks Northwest permission slip signed by a parent or guardian at a BloodworksNW donor center.
- First time 16 or 17 year old male donors who weigh at least 114 pounds and First time 16 or 17 year old female donors who weigh at least 125 pounds may donate with a Bloodworks Northwest permission slip signed by a parent or guardian at a mobile blood drive; this is to improve our young first-time donors’ experience, and minimize chances of vasovagal reaction.
- Oregon: Minors donating in Oregon do not require a Bloodworks permission form, unless requested by the donor groups.
Questions regarding blood or apheresis donations, call: 800-398-7888.
Questions About Eligibility
Some health conditions or medications may temporarily or permanently prevent persons from donating blood.
If you have a question regarding your eligibility to donate blood and would like to discuss it with someone:
- Email clinicalp@bloodworksnw.org -OR-
- Call 1-800-366-2831, extension 2543
Medical Conditions
| HIV/AIDS, individuals at high risk and their partners | cannot donate |
| Cold and Flu: You should not donate today if you are currently experiencing symptoms of a “cold” or “flu” | cannot donate today |
| Diabetes, on or off medication and under control | can donate |
| Non-viral Hepatitis, previous Hepatitis A | can donate |
| Viral Hepatitis B, C, D | cannot donate |
| Pregnancy | cannot donate |
| Pregnancy, after delivery, miscarriage, abortion | six-week wait |
| Menstruation | can donate |
| Cancer, treatment complete and disease-free; most types* | one year wait |
| Low blood count | Read more |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosed by a physician | cannot donate |
*Note: People with, or who have had, cancer, should contact the Clinical Specialist at 206-292-2543 to determine eligibility.
Medical Procedures
| Surgery, without transfusion or certain all transfusions were Autologous | can donate |
| Surgery, with transfusion | 1-year wait |
Medications
| Antibiotics (used for Acne is acceptable), Injectable, Oral | can donate if not currently(same day as donation) taking and infection free |
| Allergy medications, diuretics, diet pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, Tylenol | can donate |
| Aspirin | can donate blood, but not platelets |
| Blood Pressure Medication (most types) | can donate |
Vaccinations
| Measles (rubella) and MMR | one-month wait |
| Flu | can donate |
| Hepatitis B | two-week wait |
Other Possible Restrictions
| Ear/Body Piercing, sterile procedure/equipment used | can donate |
| Ear/Body Piercing, non-sterile procedure/equipment used | one-year wait |
| Tattooing, licensed facility in WA, OR, CA, and ID | can donate |
| Tattooing, non-licensed facility or outside WA, OR, CA, and ID | one year wait |
| Travel outside the US or Canada | Read more |
| Donor deferral, men who have sex with men (MSM) | Read more |
Questions
If you have additional questions regarding eligibility:
- Please call the Clinical Specialist at (206) 292-2543 or (800) DONATE-1, x2543 -OR-
- Email: ClinicalProgram@bloodworksnw.org
Information about Novel Coronavirus
Information about Novel Coronavirus
Information about Emergent Diseases
Information about Emergent Diseases [PDF]
You Cannot get AIDS from Donating Blood
Only sterile, disposable equipment is used throughout the donation process, which makes it virtually impossible to contract a disease from donating blood.
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Tree of Life award
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