AIDS epidemic in the United States) are Reviewed by health care specialists @ AMH GENERAL BLOOD DONOR GUIDELINES
currently deferred as blood donors. This is
because MSM are, as a group, at increased This information is for educational purposes only
risk for HIV, hepatitis B and certain other and is not intended to replace the advice of your
infections that can be transmitted by doctor or health care provider. We encourage you
transfusion. to discuss with your doctor any questions or
concerns you may have.
8. Tattoos: One-year deferral.
Note
9. Travel: Please refer to Centers for Disease Donor eligibility rules are established by the Food
Control and Prevention. and Drug Administration as well as state regulatory
agencies.
10. Weight: You must weigh at least 110
pounds to be eligible for blood donation
for your own safety. Blood volume is in
proportion to body weight. Donors who
weigh less than 110 pounds may not
tolerate the removal of the required
volume of blood as well as those who Contrary to other’s beliefs, there is
weigh more than 110 pounds. There is no nothing in the Bible that prohibits the
upper weight limit as long as your weight is practice of donating or receiving
not higher than the weight limit of the donated blood.
donor bed or lounge you are using. You Donating blood is actually a picture of
can discuss any upper weight limitations of what Jesus did for us when He shed
beds and lounges with your local health His blood so that we might live.
historian. When we give blood, we are offering
a part of our lives to save the life of
Other criteria that will be assessed at the time of
someone else. It is one way we obey
donation such as (list is not all inclusive):
the second greatest commandment,
Hemoglobin, Travel, Cancer, Medications, which is to love others as we love
Hepatitis, and HIV Risk: ourselves (Mark 12:31).
Intravenous drug abusers: HIV, HBV, HCV and Jesus said, “Greater love has no one
HTLV than this: to lay down one’s life for
Transplant patients: animal tissue or organs one’s friends” (John 15:13). If we are
People who have recently traveled to or lived called to lay down our lives for others,
abroad in certain countries may be excluded
we can surely give some of our blood
because they are at risk for transmitting agents such
as malaria or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease to help save them.
(vCJD).
TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!
RMB, RN, MAN, M.MIN, PHD.
2019
General Blood Donor Guidelines
Why Guidelines Are Important You will not be eligible to donate blood or 1. Age: You must be at least 17 years old to
platelets if you: donate to the general blood supply. There
Donor eligibility rules help to protect the health is no upper age limit for blood donation as
and safety of the donor as well as the person who Have tested positive for hepatitis B or long as you are well with no restrictions or
will receive a blood transfusion. The general hepatitis C, lived with or had sexual limitations to your activities.
guidelines listed below will help you determine if contact in the past 12 months with anyone
you are eligible to donate blood or platelets. who has hepatitis B or symptomatic 2. High Blood Pressure: Acceptable as long as
hepatitis C. your blood pressure is below 180 systolic
You and Your Donation Are Important to Us Had a tattoo in the past 12 months or (first number) and below 100 diastolic
received a blood transfusion (except with (second number) at the time of donation.
Before donating, one of our medical professionals
your own blood) in the past 12 months. Medications for high blood pressure do not
will discuss your health history with you in a
Have ever had a positive test for the AIDS disqualify you from donating.
private, confidential setting. After taking your
virus.
pulse, blood pressure, and temperature and
Are a man who has had sex with another 3. Body Piercing: You must not donate if you
checking for anemia, we will determine whether
man in the past 12 months. have had a tongue, nose, belly button or
you are eligible to be a donor.
Have ever used intravenous illegal drugs, genital piercing in the past 12 months
General Guidelines even once. (donors with pierced ears are eligible).
Have ever used injectable drugs, including
To donate blood or platelets, you must be in good anabolic steroids, unless prescribed by a 4. Cold and Flu: Wait if you have a fever or a
general health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at physician. productive cough (bringing up phlegm).
least 16 years old. Parental consent is required for Have engaged in prostitution. Wait if you do not feel well on the day of
blood donation by 16 year olds; 16 year olds are Have traveled in the past year, or lived in donation. Wait until you have completed
NOT eligible to donate platelets. No parental the past three years, in an area where antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or
consent is required for those who are at least 17 malaria is endemic. lung infection.
years old. If you are 76 or older, you will need Blood donors must wait at least 56 days
your doctor’s written approval for blood or between blood donations and 7 days 5. Diabetes: Acceptable as long as it is well
platelet donation. before donating platelets. Platelet donors controlled, whether medication is taken or
may donate once every seven days, not to not.
What Is ‘Good’ Health?
exceed six times in any eight-week period,
Good health means that you feel well and are able and must wait 7 days before donating 6. Diet: A meal is recommended at least four
to carry out normal daily activities. If you have a blood. hours prior to donation. Drink plenty of
chronic medical condition such as diabetes or high fluids.
Additional Criteria
blood pressure, you may still be eligible as long as
you are receiving treatment to control your It is important that you understand the criteria that 7. MSM: Men who have had sex with other
condition. permit you to donate blood or platelets. In men, at any time since 1977 (the beginning
addition to the general requirements listed above, of the
Needed Identification: We require that you provide
please take the time to review Additional Donor
identification that shows your name and your
Requirements.
photograph or signature.
Basic Eligibility Guidelines
What Conditions Would Make You Ineligible to Be
a Donor?
