Donation Eligibility
Blood Donation Guidelines
In order to be able to donate, you must:
- Be 17 years old (or 16 with parental or guardian consent)
- Weigh at least 110 lbs for donors 19 years old and older
- Donors ages 16, 17 and 18 years old must meet height and weight requirements
- Be in good general health
- Undergo a brief health screening
Blood Donor Eligibility FAQs
To ensure the safety of donors and patients who receive life-saving blood products, The Community Blood Center adheres to eligibility requirements set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Here are frequently asked eligibility questions. If you’re unable to find an answer to your eligibility question below, we strongly encourage you to contact our team at (800) 280-4102.
If you take aspirin regularly, you can still donate blood. If you are donating platelets, you must be aspirin-free for 48-hours prior to your donation. Click here to review the list of medication deferrals to understand your eligibility.
In almost all cases you will be able to donate. Some restrictions do apply if you have traveled to a potential “risk area.” If you have traveled out of the country recently, give our team a call.
If you have received a tattoo in the state of WI, MI, or IL at a licensed parlor you can donate. If you have received a tattoo or piercing at a licensed parlor outside of the previously-mentioned areas, please contact us before donating.
Hemoglobin levels will be checked at each visit to determine if an individual is able to donate.
If you have had the flu shot, you can donate as long as you are symptom free. If you have been immunized for shingles, you are still eligible to donate blood and platelets, as long as you are feeling well. If you have received the Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you are still eligible to donate blood and platelets. If you have received any other immunizations, please give us a call to make sure you can donate.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer, COPD, a cardiac, heart or lung condition, or have recently had a surgery or transplant are still able to donate in many cases. Please give our team a call to be sure.
Women are eligible to donate six weeks after delivery.
If you have donated plasma you are eligible to donate whole blood after seven days, double red after seven days, platelets after seven days, and plasma after four weeks.
Diabetics are okay to donate if they meet all donor requirements.
Safety is our top priority.