I've never donated blood before, and I keep hearing about blood shortages. How can I tell if I'm eligible to give?
Many first-time donors are concerned about eligibility, says Amber Grantham, a donor relations specialist with Dartmouth Health’s Blood Donor Program.
The good news is that most healthy adults are eligible to donate blood. While a few people may be deferred or temporarily unable to donate, blood donation centers can help you understand your eligibility and answer any questions.
Before you go, here are answers to common questions about giving blood, according to Grantham.
How old do I have to be?
In general, volunteer blood, platelet, and plasma donors need to be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good overall health.
You should not have a fever, be feeling unwell, or be pregnant at the time of donation.
What happens before I donate?
Before donating, every donor completes a Donor Health History Questionnaire (DHHQ).
The DHHQ asks about your health, medications, travel history, and other factors that may affect an individual’s eligibility to donate safely. The questions are designed to protect both donors and patients who may receive the donated blood.
There are no longer any questions related to a person’s sexual orientation. Some other previous restrictions have changed. For example, living in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s is no longer a reason that you cannot donate.
Why would someone be denied or deferred?
There are fewer reasons not to give than many people realize.
Many people are surprised to learn that common conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, do not automatically prevent blood donation if they are well-controlled.
Likewise, common medications like birth control pills and antidepressants do not typically affect eligibility.
But some situations may still result in a temporary deferral, meaning you need to wait before donating.
Some situations that require a waiting period include:
- Recent travel to certain countries (such as to areas where malaria is present, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Some vaccinations
- Low hemoglobin levels
- Specific medications
- Certain medical or other procedures (for example, a new tattoo may warrant a three-month deferral, depending on where it was done).
What happens next?
After reviewing the questionnaire, a member of the donation team will perform a brief health screening. This screening includes checking your temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. A small finger-stick blood sample is also collected to measure hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Donors whose hemoglobin falls outside established safety ranges may be asked to wait before donating and return at a later date.
Certain serious heart or lung conditions, active illnesses, and some cancers can affect eligibility. Depending on the situation, a deferral could be temporary or permanent. Blood collection staff will help make that decision.
What if I can't donate?
Being deferred is not a judgment about your health. Deferrals are based on medical and safety guidelines established to ensure the safest possible blood supply and protect the well-being of both the donor and recipient.
If you’re interested in donating but aren’t sure whether you qualify, do not let that uncertainty stop you. Blood donation staff can answer questions before your appointment.
Why does donating blood matter?
Every blood donation helps, whether for patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, trauma care, or other lifesaving procedures.
For those eligible, donating blood remains one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to support community health. Only about 3% of the eligible population chooses to donate blood. If just 1% more donated, shortages across the country would end. As a donor, you matter more than you might realize.
