Donor Eligibility Information
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Most people do not realize that they are eligible to donate their life-saving blood. Please review the information below to determine if you, a friend or family member may be eligible to help save lives. If you have additional questions, please call 1-800-542-5663 and ask to speak with a Nurse on Duty and your question will be answered confidentially over the telephone. To be a Blood Donor: |
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AGE: |
you must be 17 years of age or older |
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WEIGHT: |
weigh at least 105 pounds |
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HEALTH: |
be in generally good health and feeling well the day of donation |
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FREQUENCY: |
donors can give every 56 days (you can give on day 56) |
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Donors should eat 3 to 4 hours before donating. |
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COMMON MEDICAL QUESTIONS ABOUT DONOR ELIGIBILITY: ALLERGIES: Allergies are generally not a cause for deferral, unless you are currently experiencing symptoms. BLOOD TRANSFUSION: You must wait 12 months after receiving blood to donate, unless you received ONLY your own blood. COLDS: You may not donate if you have a cold, a flu, sore throat or other type of infection. DENTAL WORK: You may donate immediately after having a tooth pulled or 3 days after oral surgery as long as you are not taking any medication and there is no infection. There is no waiting period for fillings or cleanings. DIABETES: You may donate even if on insulin, provided the insulin treatment has been established for at least two weeks. EPILEPSY: You may donate if you have been seizure free to three months with or without medication. HEPATITIS: If you have had hepatitis on or after age 11, you may not donate blood. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: You may donate if you are taking medication to control your blood pressure if your blood pressure is acceptable on the day of donation. A past history of high blood pressure will not defer you. IMMUNIZATIONS: You may donate if you have recently received a routine flu shot or pneumonia shot. MEDICATIONS: Most medications do not interfere with donating blood: however, you will need to check with the nurse at the site. NURSING MOTHERS: A nursing mother may donate blood. PREGNANCY: A woman may donate blood 6 weeks after a normal delivery, abortion, miscarriage or caesarian section, if released from physician's care and returned to normal activity. TATTOOS: You must wait 12 months to donate blood after being tattooed. ACUPUNCTURE / BODY PIERCING: You must wait 12 months to donate blood after acupuncture or body piercing if the needle has been previously used or the donor is unsure if the needle was previously used. ACCIDENTAL NEEDLESTICK: You must wait 12 months to donate blood after an accidental needlestick or contact with someone else's blood. Please call the collections department (1-800-542-5663) if you have other questions, or questions about any of the following: MEDICATION - CANCER - HEART PROBLEMS - SURGERY - TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES |
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Email our Blood Services Department at blood@westred.org.