Donor Requirements

A LIST OF GUIDELINES FOR DONATING BLOOD AND REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS ABOUT BLOOD DONATION. THE LIST IS MEANT TO PREPARE FOR HOW TO DONATE BLOOD OR DONATE PLASM
NEW INFORMATION FLASH
The American Red Cross is refusing donations from people who have spent a cumulative three months in Great Britain or those who have spent six months in any part of Europe since 1980.
Other blood banks continue to follow United States Government and Food and Drug Administration requirements that bar donations only from people who have spent six months or more in Great Britain between 1980 and 1996. BloodBook.com believes that these restrictions may be brought into compliance with the Red Cross guidelines or even made tighter very soon.
Blood donor requirements change very frequently.
It is the responsibility of hospitals, Blood collection centers, and Blood storage facilities to protect the health of those donating Blood and to assure the safety of the Blood supply in general. Therefore, tests will be performed and a donor’s general health evaluated at the time of every donation. All physical conditions are ultimately subject to the review and approval of a physician in charge and accountable. High or low Blood pressure may exclude a donor for an undetermined length of time. Low hemoglobin (iron) content in the Blood is also cause for temporary deferral.
If the donor lies or is mistaken about any of the following questions, the Blood supply is at risk!
Blood centers follow a recommended 'five layer' standard of safety protocol for donor eligibi
Every word on this page is subject to change without notice from or to anyone! Eligibility for Blood donation changes constantly as new scientific information becomes available. Also, there is, in the United States, a strong political component to many aspects of Blood donation. Other factors influencing Blood donation are the cost of Blood testing and the severity of the need for Blood and Blood products. Rules for eligibility used by the Food and Drug Administration, the American Red Cross, the American Association of Blood Banks and your local Blood collection facility are often different. Call before visiting to donate!
TYPES OF BLOOD DONORS One of the keys to a good Blood transfusion is starting with good Blood. There is a massive effort to make sure that "the Blood supply is safer than it has ever been." Since economics enter the picture, however, an informed receiver of Blood and/or Blood products is less likely to have problems of the 'now known' or the 'not now known' variety. The three types of Blood donors are:
Volunteer Blood Donors: As a rule, a greater percentage of better quality Blood comes from volunteer donors. Hence, there is a massive effort under way to recruit this class of donor. Volunteer donors are very important because the incidence of Blood transmitted disease is much less in Blood drawn from volunteers. In the United States, most whole Blood donations come from volunteer donors. Most Blood for Blood products is not donated in this way.
Replacement Blood Donors: Blood donors who donate their Blood as a replacement for their own Blood, or that of a friend or relative are called replacement donors. Blood "scares" in recent years have caused this to grow. The donor is selected by the recipient; they then go to the Blood donor center to be tested and typed; their Blood is then drawn and stored for use by the designated recipient.
Professional Blood Donors: Blood donors who get either monetary benefit or helps of various other kinds in return for the Blood that they donate. Such donors are statistically more likely to carry some infection. Their Blood is more likely to be of a lower standard as they tend to donate more frequently. Professional (paid) donors are not often turned away. There is, in fact, in most organizations, a place and an informal policy in place to manage these donors. To give some idea of the policies that make this Blood acceptable, the policy may read: "..... if a blood establishment provides monetary payment to a donor, all products collected from that donor that are intended for transfusion and that are collected during the donation at which the donor received the monetary incentive should be labeled with the 'paid donor' classification statement. These products include Whole Blood, Red Blood Cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma, and Platelets. Monetary payment includes cash, in any amount, or items that are readily convertible to cash. If a cash payment in any amount is made to a group to which the donor belongs, this would be considered a monetary payment to the donor and the products collected from the donor should be labeled with the 'paid donor' classification statement" etc.
It is unfortunate that in the United States, as well as some other countries, this 'highly sophisticated' system of Blood collection, testing, storage, management, and dispensing by sale, for profit, is substantially based on the honor system. All potential Blood donors are asked over 90 short, easy-to-answer questions. This is the basis of decision on the suitability of the Blood donor and their Blood. If the donor lies or is mistaken about any of the following questions, the Blood supply is at risk!
The most common eligibility guidelines in INDIA (some other countries have differing guidelines) are outlined below. These are subject to change.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Be in generally good health and feeling well.
Be at least 17 years of age; upper age 60 (420d*).
Weigh at least 110 pounds (45 kg).
Pulse: 80 to 100 beats/min and regular.
Temperature: Should not exceed 99.5 (37.5c).
Blood Pressure: acceptable range is 160/90 to 110/60.
Skin: the venipuncture site should be free of any lesion or scar of needle pricks indicative of addiction to narcotics or frequent Blood donation (as in the case of professional Blood donors).
DONATION FREQUENCY (may vary)
Whole Blood donors may donate every 56 days.
Plasma donors may donate twice a week (max. every 48 hours.)
Platelet donors may donate a maximum of 24 times per year.
Other specialized donations are subject to other rules.
DO NOT DONATE BLOOD IF:
You have ever tested positive for HIV,
You have ever injected yourself with drugs or other substances not prescribed by a physician,
You are a man and have had sex with another man, even once,
You have hemophilia or another Blood clotting disorder and received clotting factor concentrate,
You have engaged in sex for drugs or money since 1977,
You have lived in western Europe since 1980,
You have been held in a correctional facility (including jails, prisons and/or detention centers) for more than 72 hours in the last 12 months,
You were born in, lived in or had sex with anyone who lived in, or received Blood products in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger or Nigeria since 1977 (this list changes frequently; updates are very important) or,
You are, or have been a sexual contact of someone in the above list. NOTE: There is a special watch for potential donors who have visited or lived in England/United Kingdom from 1980 to 1999, and those who have lived and/or worked in Western Europe since 1980.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Accident & Injury: can donate if otherwise healthy
Aids: can not donate
Allergies: can donate if there is no infection present and there is no treatment ongoing
Anemia: defer donation until no symptoms exist
Arthritis: can donate if mild and not on medication
Asthma: those with severe asthma requiring regular treatment can not donate; can donate if there are no symptoms evident
Babesiosis: can not donate
Blood disorders or bleeding tendencies: can not donate
Blood Pressure: acceptable range is 160/90 to 110/60. (see medication section below for medication restrictions.)
Brain or spinal surgery that required a transplant of brain covering (dura mater): can not donate
Bronchitis: defer donation until four weeks or after recovery
CJD: When a Blood relative has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), or there is an increased family risk of CJD; can not donate
Cancer: Basal cell, squamous cell skin cancers and keratosis; can not donate until removed and healed. Melanoma; can not donate. Malignant tumors; can donate five years after removal of early stage contained solid tumor, no chemotherapy, and in remission
Chicken Pox: defer donation until four weeks after recovery
Chlamydia: like all other venereal diseases; a minimum of a one year deferral is required
Colds, fever, flu, sore throat: can not donate until symptoms (sore throat, cough, respiratory infection, headache) are completely gone
Cold Sore, Fever Blister, Canker Sore: can donate
Colitis: can not donate
Colostomy: can not donate
Dementia: can not donate
Dengue: defer donation until four weeks after recovery
Dermatitis: can donate if mild; defer donation if severe
Diabetes: can donate if treatment is by diet control and condition is stable; defer donation if on medication
Diarrhea: defer donation until three weeks after recovery
Eczema: can donate if mild. defer donation if severe
Emphysema: can not donate
Filariasis: can not donate
Food Poisoning: defer donation for one week after full recovery
Gastroenteritis: defer donation for one week after full recovery
Gall Stone: can donate if not on medication
Gonorrhea/Syphilis: defer donation for one year after complete recovery
Gout: can not donate
Heart attack: can donate if greater than one year since, and no symptoms present, the attending Blood authority physician must carefully evaluate
Heart surgery, Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) or angioplasty: can donate one year after surgery, if no history of heart attack, and the donor is on no medication for the heart (aspirin is okay)
Hemochromatosis: can not donate
Hepatitis: Hepatitis or undiagnosed jaundice after age ten; can not donate. Positive hepatitis test: can not donate. Can donate if the history of hepatitis is pertaining to mononucleosis or CMV infection
Herpes (genital): can donate four weeks after lesions completely clear
Leprosy: can not donate
Malaria; had Malaria in last three years: defer donation for three years after full recovery (also see Travel and Residency Restrictions below)
Pregnancy and Miscarriage: can donate after six weeks of full term normal delivery. Can donate six weeks after termination in third trimester. First or second trimester miscarriage can donate after stable
Prostate: can not donate
Sexually transmitted diseases - Genital herpes: can not donate until all lesions are completely clear
Sickle Cell Trait: can not donate
Seizures in the last five Years: can not donate
Spondylosis: can donate if feeling well and not under any treatment at all
Strokes: can not donate
Surgery (all): can donate after healed and released from physician care.
Syphilis: see Gonorrhea
Thyroid: for Hypothyroid, can donate if feeling well and euthyroid on thyroxine for six months. For Hyperthyroid: can not donate until euthyroid for six months.
Tuberculosis: can not donate until two years after complete cure
Viral Infection: can donate after cure and off treatment
Worms: can donate after complete cure
MEDICATION GUIDELINES
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol): may be taken in normal moderate doses before any Blood donation
Accutane: four-week deferral
Allergy medication: can donate
Antibiotics: 72-hour deferral after infection is healed
Anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin and Naprosyn): may not be taken within 24 hours before a platelet donation (some other rules may apply)
Aspirin-containing products or Feldene and Lodine XL: may not donate within 36 hours before platelet donation
Birth control pills: can donate
Blood pressure medication: can donate under present FDA and American Red Cross standards in force
Depression medication: can donate
Diabetic medication - Injected bovine (beef) insulin since 1980; can not donate
Diet pills: can donate
Diuretics: can donate
Female hormone pills: can donate
Any human pituitary-derived hormone (i.e. growth hormone): can not donate
Soriatane (Acitretin): three-year deferral
Tegison (used to treat a severe skin disorder): can not donate if ever taken
Thyroid medication: can donate if stabilized
IMMUNIZATION EXCLUSIONS
Polio, mumps, smallpox: two-week or more deferral
Rubella or Rubeola (types of measles): four week deferral
Tetanus, diphtheria, flu, Hepatitis B: can not donate until any reaction is over
OTHER POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS
Acupuncture: one-year deferral
Alcohol: defer donation if consumed in last 12 hours
Body piercing: one-year deferral
Cocaine: taking through the nose (snorting); one-year deferral minimum, local Blood authority will prevail
Dental work - Cleaning and fillings: one-day deferral; Root canal: three-day deferral after work is complete
Ear piercing: can donate if the piercing was performed in a doctor’s office (with written verification) otherwise, one-year deferral
Electrolysis: defer donation for one year
Hepatitis exposure: one-year deferral
Menstruation: can donate
Rape: one-year deferral
Smoker: can donate
Tattoo in the last 12 months: one-year deferral
Transfusion: defer donation by one year if undergone transfusion with Blood products. Can donate if undergone autologous transfusion only
TRAVEL and RESIDENCY OUTSIDE of the INDIA
England/United Kingdom - visited or lived in from 1980 to 1999: deferred indefinitely (this standard varies between United States FDA and The American Red Cross and the American Association of Blood Banks.
Western Europe - visited or lived in since 1980 deferred indefinitely
Born in, lived in or had sex with anyone who lived in, or received Blood products in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger or Nigeria since 1977 (this list changes frequently; updates are very important): deferral indefinitely.
Lived or traveled in an area where Malaria is prevalent (Central America and South America, etc.): three-year deferral,
Other international travelers: different restrictions apply as precaution against mad cow disease, depending on what blood bank and region
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FACTS OF RBC

RBC
1. Red blood cells must be used within 42 days.
2. Blood makes up about 7 percent of your body's weight.
3. The average adult has 10 pints of blood in his or her body.
4. Blood fights against infection and helps heal wounds, keeping you
healthy.
5. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissue.
6. There are about one billion red blood cells in two to three drops of
blood.
7. Red blood cells live about 120 days in the circulatory system.
8. Platelets must be used within five days of collection, hence blood
donations are especially needed around 3-day weekends.
9. Plasma can be frozen and used for up to a year.
10. Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma
and platelets.
11. People who have been in car accidents and suffered massive
blood loss can need transfusions of 50 units or more of red blood
cells.
12. Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins and salts.
13. Plasma, which is 90 percent water, constitutes 55 percent of blood
volume.
14. Cancer, transplant and trauma patients and patients undergoing
open heart surgery require platelet transfusions to survive.
15. White cells are the body's primary defense against infection.
16. There is no substitute for human blood.
17. Much of today's medical care depends on a steady supply of
blood from healthy donors.
18. People donate blood out of a sense of duty and community spirit,
not to make money.
19. Every two seconds someone needs blood.
20. Approximately 32,000 units of blood are used each day in the
United States.
21. Blood centers often run short of type O and B blood.
22. Shortages of all types of blood occur during the summer and winter
holidays.
23. Anyone who is in good health, is at least 17 years old, and
weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days.
24. The actual blood donation usually takes less than 10 minutes. The
entire process, from when you sign in to the time you leave, takes
about an hour.
25. Giving blood will not decrease your strength.
26. Apheresis (ay-fur-ee-sis) is a special kind of blood donation that
allows a donor to give specific blood components, such as
platelets.
27. You cannot get AIDS or any other blood disease by donating
blood.
28. More than 10 tests are performed on each unit of donated blood.
29. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease that affects more than
80,000 people in the United States, 98 percent of whom are of
African descent.
30. Some patients with complications from severe sickle cell disease
receive blood transfusions every month.
31. The average bone marrow transplant requires 120 units of platelets
and about 20 units of red blood cells.
32. Severe burn victims can need 20 units of platelets during their
treatment.
33. Children being treated for cancer, premature infants, and children
having heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all
types.
34. If you began donating blood at age 17 and donated every 56
days until you reached 76, you would have donated 48 gallons of
blood.
35. About 3 gallons of blood supports the entire nation's blood needs
for one minute.
36. One out of every 10 people entering a hospital needs blood.
37. The average red blood cell transfusion is 3.4 pints.
38. Females receive 53% of blood transfused; males receive 47%.
39. A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in his or her body.
40. 60% of the US population is eligible to donate – only 5% do on a
yearly basis.
41. After donating blood, you replace your red blood cells within three
to four weeks. However, takes four to six weeks to restore the iron
lost after donating.
42. Since a pint is pound, you lose a pound every time you donate
blood.

Blood Facts

Facts
Did You Know?
Only 5 percent of eligible donors across the nation donate blood, but the number of transfusions nationwide increases by 9 percent every year.
Blood donors can donate as frequently as every 56 days. A benefit from donating this often is that you receive a mini-physical once every two months.
Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
About 133,700 units of blood products are transfused at Mayo Clinic annually.
Whole blood donation only takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
We offer free parking for all donors in Mayo parking lots.
We offer childcare for whole blood donors during donation.
We now offer mobile blood drives for donor convenience.
On average, a hip replacement typically uses one unit of blood, a cardiac bypass 2 units, a heart transplant 2 units, and a liver transplant 10 units!
The blood you donate with the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program stays right here in our community.
Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come as a gift from people.
The need for blood increases during holidays and summer months. People are more apt to be traveling and active during these times and thus are at an increased risk for accidents.
Statistics show that 25 percent or more of us will require blood at least once in our lifetime.
The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program has to buy nearly a quarter (25%) of its blood products from the American Red Cross to help meet the needs of our patients and to prevent postponing surgeries.
You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood.

Blood Donation Facts

Is donating blood safe?
Can I give if I have been turned down before?
How often can one give blood?
How do I know if I am eligible to donate blood?
Are the health history questions and my test results confidential?
What can I do if I am not eligible to donate?
How can I ensure a pleasant donation experience?
Should I give blood now or wait until I am called?
How long does it take to donate blood?
How much blood is taken — won't it make me weak?
What will happen to my blood after I donate?
Can I direct my blood donation to an individual?
Can I direct my blood donation to the military?

Is donating blood safe?

Donating blood is a safe process. Needles and bags used to collect blood are used only once and then discarded, making spread of infection to the donor not possible.
Can I give if I have been turned down before?

Most reasons, for which donors are turned away from donating blood are temporary, not permanent. For example, one common reason for a deferral is low iron level in the blood, but iron levels fluctuate daily and are affected by what you eat. Check the eligibility requirements to see if you may be eligible to donate. A "mini-physical" is given to all potential donors to ensure they are healthy enough to donate.
How often can one give blood?

Regulations in the United States allow people to donate whole blood once every 56 days. The waiting period between donations can be different for other blood components. For example, donating only platelets in a process called apheresis requires only a 3 day wait before a person can give again. Donating two units of red blood cells through a similar process doubles the waiting period to 112 days.
How do I know if I am eligible to donate blood?

You must be in good health, be at least 17 years old, and weigh at least 110 pounds. You will also need to pass physical and health history reviews prior to donating. There is no upper age limit on your ability to donate. Conditions that require a temporary deferral are pregnancy, travel to certain parts of the world, inoculations, some health conditions and certain medications. Call 1-800 GIVE LIFE or check the eligibility requirements to get answers to specific eligibility questions you may have. Eligibility requirements may also vary for some states and blood centers. Final eligibility is determined by medical professionals at the time of donation.
Are the health history questions and my test results confidential?

Yes. The health history will be conducted by a trained professional in an individual booth arranged to preserve confidentiality. Your answers will be kept confidential, except where required by law. If your blood tests positive to any of the administered standard tests, you will receive confidential notification. The Red Cross maintains strict confidentiality of all blood donor records.
What can I do if I am not eligible to donate?

While you may be unable to donate blood, there are other ways you can help. You can help organize a blood drive, recruit other suitable donors, or volunteer at fixed sites or mobile blood drives to help make donors' experience a positive one. Monetary donations are another way to help ensure that safe blood can be provided to those who are in need. Learn more about how you can help.
How can I ensure a pleasant donation experience?

You'll want a good night's sleep the night before, and a good breakfast or lunch before your donation. Drink fluids like juice, milk, or soda ahead of time. Take your normal medications as prescribed. Ensure you have adequate iron level by making iron-rich foods part of your daily diet. These include red meat, poultry, fish, green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified cereals, nuts, raisins and prunes. During your donation, relax. After your donation, have some juice and cookies in the canteen. Then you can go about your daily activities, but avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the remainder of the day. See the tips for a good donation experience.
Should I give blood now or wait until I am called?

Under normal circumstances eligible donors are encouraged to donate as often as possible.
How long does it take to donate blood?

The whole process takes about an hour. It starts with registration, a health history and a mini-physical. Then comes the actual donation, which usually takes less than 10-12 minutes. Afterward, you will be asked to spend a few minutes in the "canteen" where you can have a light refreshment before returning to your normal activities.
How much blood is taken — won't it make me weak?

A blood donation equals approximately one pint of blood. The average adult body has 10-12 pints. The vast majority of people will not feel any different because of the donation. A very small percentage may experience temporary dizziness, but some rest and fluids will help you feel better quickly. Your body will replace the lost fluid within 24 hours.
What will happen to my blood after I donate?

Each blood donation is assigned a unique computer barcode number, which will identify it throughout its path from the donor to a hospital patient. Immediately after the blood donation, the blood is placed in transport containers designed to keep it at a safe temperature until it reaches a Red Cross component laboratory. Samples of the blood donation are simultaneously sent to one of nine Red Cross National Testing Laboratories to be tested for transmissible diseases. In the component lab, the blood is separated into its components: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. The products are then placed in quarantined, temperature-controlled refrigeration units until the test results are received (usually 12-16 hours later) and the blood can be released for distribution or destroyed. From local distribution centers, the blood is transported to hospitals based on patient need. Hospital personnel then transfuse the blood or blood products to a patient in need.
Can I direct my blood donation to an individual?

Patients scheduled for surgery may be eligible to donate blood for themselves in the weeks before non-emergency surgery in a process known as autologous donation. If an autologous donation is not used, it is discarded. Family members and friends can also make directed donations. Directed donations are fully tested, so if they are not used by the intended patient, they can be released for use by other patients.
Can I direct my blood donation to the military?

The American Red Cross has created a strong operations network that helps us direct your blood donation to the areas of the country — or the world — where they are most needed. While you can't direct your donation to be specifically routed to military personnel, you can be sure that it will be sent to the areas of most critical need.

Blood Donation

Blood donation is a great achievement in human life