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Eligibility Guidelines

Are you ready to donate?

To ensure the safety and reliability of the blood supply as well as the comfort and safety of the generous donors who give, Memorial Blood Centers has established guidelines governing eligibility for blood donation, incorporating regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While some restrictions may temporarily defer you from making a blood donation, we encourage you to find out more.

To verify eligibility or for detailed information about safety restrictions governing blood donations, please contact Memorial Blood Centers at 888-448-3253 prior to making an appointment. Let us help you determine your eligibility—whether you have questions about recent travel, medications you are taking, or a current medical condition.

Please note (valid as of June 4, 2020):

To protect our staff and donors amid the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Memorial Blood Centers is asking donors to self-screen before coming in to donate. Please do not present to donate if you have:

  • a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing)

  • had close contact with someone diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 in the last 14 days

  • been diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 until 14 days after your illness has resolved

All donors, visitors, and staff are required to wear a face mask or face covering. When presenting to donate, donors are asked to bring a face mask or face covering.

If you are unsure whether to donate, please contact us at 1-844-213-5219. If you have donated recently and you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or you test positive for COVID-19, please contact us at 1-888-235-3301. More information about blood donation and COVID-19 can be found here.

Donating blood is safe and convenient when you are:

  • In good health
  • 17 years or older—16 with written parental consent (PDF)
  • At least 110 pounds (female donors age 16-18 have additional height and weight requirements)
  • Free of antibiotics for 24 hours, unless taken for preventative reasons
  • Symptom-free for at least 72 hours following a cold or flu

Restrictions

  • Medical-related restrictions may include: uncontrolled hypertension; recent history of cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma; as well as risk of exposure to hepatitis, HIV, or AIDS; etc.
  • There is no deferral from blood donation after getting a tattoo or body piercing from a licensed establishment (the previous 7-day deferral has been removed as of December 2019)
  • 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 five years or more in Europe from 1980 to the present*
    • Spent 3 months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980–1996
    • Spent 6 months or more associated with a military base in Belgium, Germany, or the Netherlands from 1980–1990*
    • Spent 6 months or more associated with a military base in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, or Turkey from 1980–1996*
  • There is a 12-month deferral period for men who have had sex with other men, starting from the date of last sexual contact*
  • Do not donate blood if you have AIDS, have ever had a positive HIV test, or are at risk for HIV/AIDS

Please note: Infectious disease testing is performed for the safety of the blood supply. Please do not donate blood as a means of screening for any infection or condition.

Blood donation downloads

* Updated FDA guidelines have reduced some deferral periods and may allow some previously deferred donors to now be eligible. Learn more.

** Time sensitive material. In order to ensure the most up-to-date information is distributed, you will receive and be asked to read this material in person, at the time of your blood donation. 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 at 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253) to verify eligibility prior to making an appointment.

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