Donor eligibility guidelines protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the patients. The following information is a guideline.
At the time of donation each person will be evaluated, and will be required to present a signature ID. It is recommended that donors eat prior to donating blood.
If you have questions about your eligibility to donate
call our toll free number: 1.866.2GIVENJ
or email us: info@communitybloodcouncil.org
Basic Requirements:
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Age: 17 through 75 |
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Note: Donors who reach age 75 and have been previously a regular donor can continue to donate provided that they meet all donor criteria. Donors over 75 years of age who pass all donor criteria may donate provided that they have donated within the past 5 years or have written medical clearance from their physician. |
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Weight: Minimum weight is 110 pounds. |
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Blood Pressure: Must be within normal range. Persons on blood pressure medication are acceptable only if medication is taken for hypertension without beta-blockers for heart disease. |
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Interval Between Donations:
Whole Blood: 56 days
Platelets: Every 2 weeks
ALYX: 112 days |
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Medications: Deferral for most drugs is based on the underlying conditions. Examples of some acceptable medications are: blood pressure medication, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and vitamins. |
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Diabetes: For those with Diabetes, please click here for requirements. |
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Hereditary Hemochromatosis: For those with Hereditary Hemochromatosis, please click here for requirements. |
Here are some reasons why a person will be permanently deferred:
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A member of any high-risk group for AIDS |
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A history of hepatitis (after age 11) |
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The following cancers are permanent deferrals: Myeloma, Hodgkin’s, Melanoma, Malignant Melanoma, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Leukemia. |
Some Reasons a Person will be Temporarily Deferred:
| Condition/Medication |
Deferral Time |
Allergies |
Accept as long as you feel well, no fever, no problem breathing |
| Colds/Flu |
Symptom-free for 3 days |
Body Piercing (See below) |
1 Year |
Received Blood or Blood Products |
1 Year |
Pregnancy |
6 Weeks after delivery or termination |
Surgery |
Upon discharge from MD
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Skin Cancer
(squamous or basal cell carcinoma) |
Surgically removed, healed with no recurrence |
Traveled in a Malarial area, with / without medication |
1 Year |
Lived in a Malarial area |
3 Years |
Flu / Vaccine / Pneumonia Shot |
Accept (if symptom free) |
Hepatitis B Vaccine |
14 Days |
Accutane |
30 Days |
Cancer (other than localized skin cancer) |
Evaluated by the Health Historian |
Heart Disease |
Time dependant deferral
(MD approval) |
| Lymes Disease Vaccine |
Accept (if symptom free and no fever) |
Antibiotics |
2 days after completion |
*Ear piercing, body piercing or acupuncture, done by aseptic technique in medically supervised settings or by the gun method with no signs of infection is acceptable. Tattoos acceptable of done by a state licensed facility. |
Why a Person might be Indefinately Deferred:
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From 1980 through 1996 donors who have spent time that adds up to 3 months or more in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Ireland [Republic of], Wales, the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or the Falkland Islands). |
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From 1980 to the present received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom (Any of the above listed). |
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Members of the US Military, a civilian Military employee or a dependent of a member of the US Military if they spent a total of 6 months or more associated with a military base in any of the following countries:
— From 1980-1990 in Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany, or
— From 1980-1996 in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece.
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From 1980, have spent time that adds up to 5 years or more in Europe (including time spent in the United Kingdom). |
European Countries List to be Used for Deferral of Donors Based on Geographic Risk of Variant Creuzfeld-Jacob Disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis):
| UNITED KINGDOM: |
| Channel Islands |
England |
Falkland Islands |
| Gibraltar |
Isle of Man |
Northern Island |
| Scotland |
Wales |
Ireland (Republic of) |
WESTERN EUROPE |
Andorra |
Austria |
Belgium |
Denmark |
Finland |
France |
Germany |
Greece |
Italy |
| Liechtenstein |
Luxembourg |
Monaco |
Netherlands (Holland) |
Norway |
Portugal |
San Marino |
Spain |
Sweden |
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Switzerland |
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EASTERN EUROPE |
Albania |
Bosnia/Herzegovina |
Bulgaria |
Croatia |
Czech Republic |
Hungary |
| Macedonia |
Poland |
Romania |
| Slovakia (Slovak Republic) |
Slovenia |
Yugoslavia: Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia |
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