Are you ELIGIBLE to donate blood?

Basic eligibility requirement for blood donation:

• Must be at least 16 years old (16- and some 17-year-olds must bring a signed permission form from a parent or guardian, if required by state or school).
• Weigh at least 50 KG. Certain height/weight criteria may apply for donors 22 years old or younger.
• Be in good general health.
• For your safety and to ensure a positive donation experience, make sure you eat within two hours ahead of your donation. Drink plenty of water that day and 24 to 48 hours beforehand.
• Bring your ID
• You must wait twelve weeks between whole blood donations.
• You should not be under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs at the time of donation.

Basic eligibility requirement for blood donation:

Platelet donors should avoid aspirin and/or aspirin-containing products 48 hours prior to donation and other anti-platelet medications as listed here.

A few high-risk groups that are NOT ELIGIBLE to donate blood:

• Anyone who has used injected drugs, steroids or another substance not prescribed by a doctor in the past three months
• Anyone who has a congenital coagulation factor deficiency
• Anyone who has had a positive test for HIV
• Anyone who has had babesiosis, a rare and severe tick-borne disease, or the parasitic infection Chagas' disease
• Anyone who spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996
• Anyone who received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom or France from 1980 to the present
• Anyone who has spent time that adds up to five years or more in France or Ireland from 1980 to 2001

You should NOT donate blood if in the last 2 weeks you:

• Had symptoms from a lab-diagnosed or suspected COVID-19 infection.
• Have a pending COVID-19 test that is not for travel or social gathering clearance.
• are not fully vaccinated (less than 14 days since first dose in a 1- dose vaccination series, or the second dose in a 2-dose series) AND one or both of the following apply :
  • Have lived with or been in close contact with individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 infection.
  • Are a health care worker who has been caring for a patient diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19 and have not consistently been able to use recommended personal protective equipment (face mask, gown and gloves).

What are COVID-19 and its symptoms?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has listed several classical symptoms of COVID-19 infection which include:

• Fever and/or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle and body aches
• Sudden loss of taste or smell