Are you ready to donate?

Memorial Blood Centers, incorporating regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has established guidelines governing eligibility for blood donation—to ensure the safety and reliability of the blood supply as well as the comfort and safety of the generous donors who give. While there are some restrictions that may require that you defer your donation temporarily, we encourage you to find out more. Let us help you determine your eligibility—whether you have questions about recent travel, medications you are taking, or a current medical condition.

To verify eligibility or for detailed information about safety restrictions governing blood donations, please contact Memorial Blood Centers at 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253) prior to making an appointment.

General eligibility guidelines

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Basics
Donating blood—the ultimate renewable resource—is safe and convenient when you are:
- In good health
- 17 years or older—16 with written Parental Consent (PDF)
- Weigh at least 110 pounds*
- Free of antibiotics for 24 hours, unless taken daily for skin condition
- Symptom-free for at least 3 days following a cold or flu
* There are specific height and weight restrictions for
16-18 year-old female donors.
Call 1-888-GIVE-BLD for details.
Frequency
All eligible blood donors are encouraged to donate:
- Whole blood every 56 days (approximately 8 weeks)
- Platelets every two weeks (up to 24 times per year)
- Plasma every 28 days (up to 13 times per year)
- Double red cells every 112 days (up to 3 times per year)
Tips
Prepare for a great donor experience:
- Get a solid night’s sleep before donating
- Eat a full meal within six hours prior to your appointment
- Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for a few hours after donating
- Make sure that your system is fully hydrated—drink 12-16 ounces or more just prior to donating and plenty of fluids for the remainder of the day
Restrictions
- You must wait 56 days from your last donation of whole blood and 28 days from your last plasma donation before donating again
- There are specific height and weight requirements for 16-18 year-old female donors.
  Call 1-888-GIVE-BLD for details.
- Medical-related restrictions may apply: tattoos or skin piercings, uncontrolled hypertension, viral hepatitis after your 11th birthday, at risk of exposure to HIV and/or AIDS, etc. A NOTE ON TATTOOS AND PIERCINGS: Effective April 16, 2012, the State of Minnesota lifted the 12-month deferral period for donating blood after receiving a tattoo or piercing from a state-licensed establishment and/or technician.
  - There is still a one-week (7 day) deferral period from the date the donor received the tattoo or body art at a licensed establishment.
  - Donors who receive tattoos or body art at a non-licensed establishment still have a 12-month deferral period.
  - Any persons who receive tattoos or piercings prior to April 16, 2012 will still be deferred from making a blood donation for a 12-month period after the date of the tattoo or body art, even if the technician or establishment is licensed.
- International travel may temporarily or permanently defer you from donating if you have:
  - Traveled to areas endemic for malaria
  - Lived in a malaria-endemic area
  - Spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980-1996
  - Spent six months or more on military bases in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy, or Greece from 1980-1996
  - Spent five years or more in Europe from 1980 to the present

Blood donation downloads

Medication Deferral List*

.pdf file (258.39 KB)

Download
16 Year Old Consent Form

.pdf file (94.60 KB)

Download
Height and Weight Requirements*

.pdf file (872.03 KB)

Download
Blood Donor Education Materials*

.pdf file (29.76 KB)

Download
List of Countries in Europe and the U.K.*

.pdf file (18.30 KB)

Download

*Time sensitive material. In order to ensure the most up-to-date information is distributed, you will receive and be asked to reread this material in person, at the time of your blood donation.

Please note: The information provided here covers general guidelines established by Memorial Blood Centers and the Food and Drug Administration. Conditions and restrictions governing blood safety and blood donation may change at any time. Please contact Memorial Blood Centers to verify eligibility.

Are you ready to donate?

General eligibility guidelines

Basics

Frequency

Tips

Restrictions

Blood donation downloads