Most people are eligible to donate blood.
Individuals who want to make a whole blood or apheresis donation must:
- Be at least 16 years of age (Donors under the age of 17 may only donate whole blood, and must have a signed Indiana Blood Center Parental/Guardian Consent Form)
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Pass a brief mini-physical and medical history review
- Bring picture I.D.
- Follow normal eating patterns before donating
Donations may be temporarily postponed for the following reasons:
- If within the last 12 months you have traveled to a malaria risk area
- If within the last 12 months you have had a transfusion (except self-donated)
- If within the last 12 months you have had a tattoo in an unregulated facility or by an unapproved method
- If within the last 12 months you have had acupuncture or skin piercing by a non-approved method
- If within the last 12 months you have had sexual contact or reside with someone having viral hepatitis
Other reasons your donation will be temporarily postponed:
- If you have an active allergy or active hay fever on the day of your donation
- If you are pregnant or it has not been six weeks since the end of your pregnancy
- If you have had certain cancers in the last five years
Most medications will not prevent you from donating.
- Examples of acceptable medications: Antibiotics (other than penicillin or penicillin derivatives) for acne, hormones, birth control pills, thyroid medication and blood pressure medication.
- Donors who have been off the following medications for the length of time indicated can be accepted: Antibiotics for infection (24 hours oral, 2 weeks injection) Accutane,Cytoxan, Methotrexate, Propecia, Proscar, Thalidomide (all 1 month); Arava, Avodart (both 6 months); Soriatane (3 years).
You cannot donate if:
- If you are in a high risk group for exposure to the AIDS virus
- If you have had viral hepatitis after age 10
- If you have ever had syphilis
- If you have ever take Tegison
- If you have ever injected illegal drugs