Blood Transfusion
Yes. You can donate 12 months after you receive a blood transfusion. (There is no waiting period if you received your own blood, called an autologous transfusion).
Cancer
Maybe. Donors who have had cancer must be assessed to determine eligibility. Individuals cannot donate if they had blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma. Generally there is a 1 year deferral after the diagnosis, last treatment, or surgery for other types of cancer including melanoma. Individuals who have had non-melanoma skin cancers removed are eligible to donate when the site is treated and healed and no other treatment is required.
Dental Work
Yes. It is ok to donate after cleaning, cavity filling or tooth extraction (if there is no infection).
Diabetes
Yes. If you take insulin, you must wait 2 weeks after any change to your insulin treatment.
Flu Vaccine
Yes. It is ok to donate if you do not have a fever or any other symptoms.
Heart Disease
Maybe. You cannot donate if you are on medicine (except aspirin or other anti-platelet medicine) following a heart attack or stroke. We will evaluate your heart condition to determine if it is safe for you to donate.
High Blood Pressure
Yes. You can donate if your blood pressure is controlled. We will check your blood pressure to evaluate if it is safe for you to donate.
Infection
No. You cannot donate if you have any active infection, including a cold or the flu.
Medications
Maybe. Most medications are ok. You should bring the names of all your medications when you come to donate. We will evaluate the medications and the reasons you are taking them to determine if it is safe for you to donate and safe for another person to receive your blood.
Piercing
Yes. You can donate if your ear piercing, body piercing, electrolysis or acupuncture was done with a sterile needle.
Pregnancy
No. You cannot donate until 6 weeks after delivery. Nursing mothers may also donate 6 weeks after delivery.
Surgery
Yes. It is ok to donate after sutures are removed, the wound is healed and you have resumed all of your normal activities. We will also ask the reason you had surgery to evaluate if it is safe for you to donate and safe for another person to receive your blood.
Tattoo
Yes. You may donate if it was applied by a state regulated entity/facility using single use needles and single use ink.
Travel
Maybe. We will evaluate where you have traveled or lived outside of the United States to determine if it is safe for another person to receive your blood.
Mad Cow Disease
Maybe. We will evaluate the time you have spent in the United Kingdom or Europe to determine if it is safe for another person to receive your blood.
Malaria
No. You cannot donate until 12 months after traveling to an area with malaria, or 3 years after living in such an area.
For other concerns, a Red Cross staff member is available to give you personal, confidential attention.
Please call 1-800-828-1975
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