Can You Donate Blood?

Today is Thursday, August 21, 2008. You may be eligible to give blood today if you gave whole blood on or before Thursday, June 26, 2008.

Today is Thursday, August 21, 2008. You may be eligible to give blood today if you gave double red cells on or before Thursday, May 01, 2008.

You may be eligible to donate blood if you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You should be in general good health
• You must be 16 years of age or older (donors age 16 and 17 must have a signed parental consent form - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MINOR DONOR CONSENT FORM)
• You must weigh at least 120 pounds
• Whole Blood donors can not have a donation in the past eight weeks (56 days)
• Double Red Cell donors can not have a donation in the past sixteen weeks (112 days)
• Your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and hemoglobin should all be normal
• You are not pregnant
• You do not have a cold
• You cannot be under a doctor’s care for any serious illness or injury
• Dental Work – You can donate one day after any of the following if you treatment has been completed and you are asymptomatic: cleaning, fillings, crown preparation, temporary / permanent crown placement, extraction, and root canal.
• Antibiotics - While some antibiotics taken to prevent an infection are acceptable, many are not. Oral antibiotic taken for infection: Eligible 48 hours after last dose and well. Antibiotic injection: Eligible 14 days after injection if well. A few antibiotics require a 7 day deferral period, call 515.288.0276 to clarify.

If you have a specific question regarding your eligibility, please contact The Blood Center of Iowa and ask to speak to a nurse (515.288.3319 or toll free 800.287.4903) or send us an email. All inquiries are confidential.