It is our responsibility to protect the health of our blood donors and to assure the safety of the blood supply. Therefore, a donor’s general health is evaluated at the time of each donation. All physical conditions are subject to the approval of the respective Blood Bank physician. High or low blood pressure may defer a donor. Low hemoglobin (iron) content in the blood is also cause for temporary deferral. Tests will be performed at the time of donation.
The most common eligibility guidelines are listed below.
Eligibility intervals may vary for; Autologous or Designated donors, or by automated collection for number of donations in any 12 month period and eligibility requirements for height, weight and blood counts in addition to those for whole blood donors.
Arthritis — can donate if no redness, pain or swelling at the time of donation
Asthma — can donate if no symptoms
Blood disorders or bleeding tendencies — cannot donate
Brain or spinal surgery that required a transplant of brain covering (dura mater) — cannot donate
CJD: A blood relative diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) or an increased family risk of CJD — cannot donate
Cancer
Basal cell, squamous cell skin cancers — can donate when removed and healed
Keratosis — accept existing or if treated
Melanoma — cannot donate
Malignant tumors — can donate after 5 years in remission
Colds, fever, flu
Cold, flu, sore throat, cough, respiratory infection — can donate if no symptoms
Cold Sore
Cold sore, fever blister, canker sore — can donate
Diabetes — can donate if stable
Heart Attack — can donate after one year if no symptoms and no heart medication (Aspirin is okay)
Heart Surgery such as coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), stent or angioplasty — can donate after one year if no symptoms and no heart medication (Aspirin is okay)
Hemochromatosis — cannot donate
Hepatitis
Hepatitis or undiagnosed jaundice after age 10 — cannot donate
Hepatitis at age 10 or younger — can donate if no known positive confirmed test results for Hepatitis B surface antigen, or known Hepatitis C
Positive hepatitis test — cannot donate
Herpes (genital) — can donate after lesions clear
Major/minor surgery — can donate after healed and released from MD care and reason permits
Pregnancy — can donate 6 weeks after delivery
SARS
28 days after illness
14 days after direct contact with infected person
14 days after returning from affected areas
Strokes — can donate after 1 yr. if stable and on no stroke medications (Aspirin is OK)
Body/ear piercing/acupuncture — can donate if done with a sterile, single use needle/equipment or with a piercing gun using single use studs, otherwise, after 1 year
Dental work
Cleaning, fillings — can donate next day
Root canal — can donate 3 days after completion
Tooth extraction — can donate 3 days after extraction, healed and no infection
Before you donate blood, it's important that you are aware of what the donation process involves, what is expected from you and what you can expect from your nearest Blood Bank.
Below are some simple guidelines you should follow so that your donation experience can be as quick and pleasant as possible.
Blood Zone 
