Eligibility Requirements
In order to donate blood platelets, you must meet the requirements listed below. These guidelines are here to assist you in determining if you are eligible to donate and are intended to protect the health and safety of the donor and the patient who will receive the transfusion. Please note that this is not a complete list; other eligibility factors may apply.
Medical professionals are available at the donor center. Contact us now.
Blood Platelet Donation
Donors must:
- Be in good health and feeling well
- Be at least 18 years old
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Not take any medications containing aspirin for three days (72 hours) or ibuprofen for 24 hours prior to donation
*Donors may donate every 2 weeks; up to 24 times a year.
Medical conditions or high-risk activities – do not donate if you:
- Have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C
- Have ever used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor
- Are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977
- Have ever taken money, drugs, or any other form of payment for sex since 1977
- Have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone described above
- Have had syphilis or gonorrhea in the past 12 months
- In the past 12 months have been in juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison for more than 72 hours
Travel – do not donate if you:
- Have lived in, or visited the United Kingdom, which includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Mann, or Channel Islands from 1980-1996 for a total of 3 months or more
- Have spent 5 years or more (total) in Europe since 1980
- Have visited a malarial-endemic country within the last year
What happens after your donation:
To protect patients, your blood is tested for certain diseases. If your blood tests positive, it will not be given to a patient and you will be notified about the test results which may disqualify you from donating in the future.
If you are interested in donating but can't due to ineligibility, contact us about being a research donor – you may be eligible!
