Can I donate blood?

Donating blood is easy and our blood supply relies exclusively on the generosity of volunteer blood donors. There is no substitute for human blood. Most people qualify as a volunteer donor, even if they are taking medications. Review the eligibility criteria below and see if you can be a lifesaver too.

Age Matters

You may donate if you are at least 17 years old (16 years old with written consent from parent or legal guardian), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health.

Donors age 16-18 are also subject to additional height/weight restrictions.

Donors age 76 and older can continue to donate blood if they meet all eligibility criteria and present a physician's letter allowing them to donate, once at the first donation after reaching their 76th birthday. In the absence of a letter from their physician, they must be cleared by an NYBC medical director at each donation.

16 Year Old Parental/Guardian's Permission Form

New York New Jersey Pennsylvania English

Spanish English

Spanish English

Spanish

Common Reasons For Donor Ineligibility

Read below for some of the temporary or permanent reasons you may not be eligible to donate blood. Some medications or medical conditions can also impact your donation eligibility.

URGENT REQUEST: Please do not give blood just to find out your HIV (AIDS virus) test results. If you need information on where to go for confidential HIV testing, please call your local health department.

Temporary Reasons

Condition Length of time before you can give blood Not feeling well for any reason until symptoms are over Cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, flu until 3 days after symptoms are over Travel to an area of the world where malaria is a problem 3 months after return Certain cases of heart disease contact us for medical eligibility at 1-800-688-0900 Ears, nose or skin piercing 3 months after procedure unless done under sterile conditions Tattoos Donors who receive tattoos in New York State are deferred from donating for 3 months unless it was applied in New Jersey at a licensed tattoo parlor, in which case you can donate immediately. You can usually donate immediately after receiving a tattoo in licensed parlors in most American states, however the following exclusions apply and will incur a 3 month deferral period: DC, Georgia, Idaho, MD, MA, NY, Penn, Vermont, Utah, Wyoming, US territories or any other country. Pregnancy, abortion or miscarriage 6 weeks after end of pregnancy Surgery, serious injury when healing is complete and feeling well Syphilis, gonorrhea 3 months after treatment completed Have had certain forms of cancer contact us regarding medical eligibility 1-800-688-0900 Have had sex with someone who has hepatitis B or hepatitis C 12 months after last occurence Blood transfusion 3 months after receiving blood You are a man who has had sex with another man 3 months after last occurence Used non-prescription drugs with a needle 3 months after last occurence Taken money or drugs in exchange for sex 3 months after last occurence You have had sex with anyone who: Is a man who ever has had sex with another man

Has ever used illegal drugs with a needle

Has ever taken money or drugs in exchange for sex 3 months after last occurence Medications Antibiotics (except antibiotics for acne) if taken

for infection when treatment is complete Accutane, Absorica, Proscar and Propecia 1 month after taking last dose Avodart and Jalyn 6 months after taking last dose Soriatane 3 years after taking last dose Plavix*, Ticlid* 14 days after taking Coumadin, Effient* and Brilinta* 7 days after taking See full list of medications that may affect your eligibility as a blood donor.

* These anti-platelet agents affect platelet function so people taking these drugs should not donate platelets for the indicated time; however, you make a whole blood donation. Anyone taking Coumadin must wait 7 days after their last dose in order to be eligible for any type of donation.

Permanent Reasons

Please do not give blood if you:

Have ever had a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus)

Are a hemophiliac

Had viral hepatitis B or hepatitis C

Had certain forms of cancer (contact us regarding medical eligibility at 800.688.0900)

Please Note:

If you have diabetes or are on medications other than those noted above, you may still be eligible to donate blood. Call us to find out: 800.688.0900 .

If you have traveled outside the United States, you may be deferred depending on the country and the length of time spent there. Call us at 800.688.0900 for more information and to determine if you are eligible.

Travel restrictions are in effect for specific states that would disallow a donor from entering a donor center. If you have spent more than 24 hours in one of the states listed as requiring self-quarantine, please do not schedule a donation until at least 14 days after returning from that state.

The reasons for not being eligible to donate blood may change at any time.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about donating blood, please contact us.