Most healthy adults are eligible to give blood; however, there are some reasons a person may be deferred from donating – temporarily, indefinitely, or permanently. Deferral criteria have been established for the protection of those donating and those receiving transfusions in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, AABB standards, and Department of Defense (DoD) policies. A temporary deferral should not discourage donors from coming back. We always need donors!
General Guidelines
In general, to donate blood you should:
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Be at least 16 years of age (donors 16 and 17 years old who are not service members will need a consent form signed by a guardian per Texas Civil State Statute Article 4447j)
- Have been feeling well for at least three days
- Be well hydrated
- Have eaten something prior to donating
- Have a state or federal form of picture identification
page last modified on: 5/7/2013