Blood Drive Guidelines

Some Specific Teen Issues

You must be 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds.

Alcohol

Alcohol won’t affect the blood, but the donor may be more dehydrated and will need to drink extra water.

Birth Control
Women taking birth control pills are acceptable.  Pregnant women cannot donate blood.

Depression, Anxiety
Acceptable as long as you feel well and comfortable with the blood donation process. Medications for depression or anxiety do not disqualify you from donating.

Drug Use

You should not be under the influence of any illegal drug when you donate blood.
Those who have ever used IV drugs that were not prescribed by a physician are not eligible to donate.

Ecstasy, acid, and other street drugs are out of your system within 48 hours.

If you have used marijuana but are no longer under the influence, you are eligible to donate.

Users of cocaine and other street drugs through the nose should wait 12 months since the last use.

Infectious Mononucleosis, "Mono"
Acceptable if you had infectious mononucleosis ("mono") once the infection has passed, as long as you did not have hepatitis with the mononucleoisis.

Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis
Acceptable as long as the instruments used were sterile.  (No home piercing).  Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free of blood contamination. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.

Sexually Transmitted/Venereal Disease
Wait 12 months after treatment.

Tattoo
Wait 12 months after a tattoo. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.

Travel Outside of U.S., Immigration
Wait 12 months after travel in an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after moving to the United States after living in a country where malaria is found. Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found are not eligible to donate. .

If in doubt, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. 

This is all CONFIDENTIAL!!