How it Works

As a recipient

By age 72, about 95 percent of all Americans will have received a blood transfusion at some point. The blood that you (or a member of your family) receive comes from the Blood Center. When you are able, please consider making a donation yourself, making blood available for the next patient needing a transfusion. All types of blood are needed, all the time.

As a donor

Every healthy adult has enough blood that the donation of one pint will cause no physical harm. The human body replaces this blood quickly. A person can donate blood as often as every 8 weeks. One pint of blood can save three lives. There is no substitute for blood.

Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health.

Disqualifications (Permanent)

Persons may not donate blood if they:

• Have tested positive for HIV/AIDS
• Have had hepatitis after age 11
• Have had coronary heart disease with permanent damage
• Have a history of drug addiction
• Have had some types of cancer

Disqualifications (Temporary)

Persons with the following conditions may not donate blood for the time specified:

• Cold or flu (until feeling normal)
• Pregnancy or recent childbirth (6 weeks)
• Major surgery (until released by doctor)
• Minor surgery (after released from doctors care)
• Transfusion with blood or blood products (12 months)
• Tattoo (no waiting period if single use needle and ink are used; any other method—wait 12 months)
• Ear or skin piercing (no waiting period if pierced by permanent earring or disposable needle and pierced area is healed; piercing by any other method—wait 12 months)
• Antibiotics (off medication 24 hours)
• Hepatitis A contract (30 days)
• Hepatitis B and C contract (12 months)
• Dental work (72 hours after major work; no wait after routine cleaning or filling)
• Malaria (visited or lived in a malaria zone—12 months; immigrated from country in malaria zone—3 years)
• Low iron (until level is up; eating iron rich foods can restore the blood’s iron level in a few weeks)

The following are not disqualifications:

• Birth control pills
• Mild pain killers
• Controlled diabetes
• Minor tranquilizers or stimulants
• Weight reduction pills