Qualifications for Giving Blood

Giving blood is a relatively painless process that takes about one hour. If you want to donate blood, there are certain qualifications you must meet.

Age Qualifications

• In many cases, blood donors must be at least 17 years old. You can be eligible to donate blood at age 16 if state law allows it. A signed permission form from a parent or guardian might be required.

Weight Qualifications

• You must meet weight qualifications if you want to donate blood. In most cases, you must weigh at least 110 pounds.

Health

• You must be in good health to donate blood. Before you donate, you will be carefully screened to ensure you are not running a fever, and that your blood count and blood pressure are normal.

Previous Donations

• If you want to donate blood, you cannot have given a whole-blood donation within the previous eight weeks. The wait time between double red cell donations is at least 16 weeks.

Antibiotics

• Potential blood donors must not be taking antibiotics for infections at the time of the donation. If you are taking antibiotics for infection prevention, you might be eligible to give blood.

Specific Conditions

• Certain chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure or diabetes, might disqualify you from giving blood. If the conditions are well-managed, you might be eligible to donate.