Eligibility and Donor Self-Screening Information

The goal of the UCLA Blood & Platelet Center is to provide patients with safe blood collected from volunteer donors. Like all other facilities in the nation that collect blood, we must follow FDA rules about who may donate. You may have heard that certain conditions like cancer, heart problems, stroke, asthma and diabetes keep you from donating, however, this is not necessarily true.  Our staff can help evaluate your specific medical questions. 

PLEASE CALL 310-825-0888 x 2

The following is information that may help you determine if you are eligible to donate:

AGE: You must be 17 years of age or older; there is no upper age limit. Call prior to scheduling an appointment if you are under the age of 17.

WEIGHT: You must weigh at least 110 for whole blood and platelet donation.

FEELING WELL: You must be well and healthy with no cold or flu symptoms in the past 24 hours (no fever, sore throat, productive cough, stomach/intestinal problems, etc.)

MEDICATION: Most medications are acceptable. For the complete medication deferral list click here.

• Antibiotics (except for acne) -- If you have been ill, it is critical that the full course of antibiotics be completed at least 48 hours prior to donation and that you have no more symptoms.
• Certain oral medications for psoriasis, severe acne, hair loss or enlargement of the prostate may make it unacceptable for you to donate.

• Blood pressure medication is acceptable if your blood pressure is within acceptable limits.

FOR PLATELET DONATIONS:

You must be off aspirin or any aspirin containing medications for 3 days. (For example, if the last dose was taken on Monday, you may not donate platelets until Thursday.) If you have taken anti-platelet medications such as Plavix (clopidogrel) and Ticlid (ticlopidine), you must be off medication for 14 full days prior to donating platelets. For the complete platelet medication deferral list please click here.

PREGNANCY:

• Six weeks must have passed since the end of your last pregnancy, including miscarriage or abortion. 
• FOR PLATELETS: If you have had four or more pregnancies (including miscarriages and abortions), you will not be able to donate platelets. However, you can still donate whole blood.  

TRAVEL TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY:

• You must not donate if you have traveled to a malaria risk area within the last 12 months.
• You must not donate if you have visited or lived in the United Kingdom (U.K.) for more than 3 months (total) between 1980 through 1996.
• You must not donate if you have received a blood transfusion in France or England since 1980.
• You must not donate if you have spent 5 years or more (total) in Europe since 1980, including time spent in the U.K.
• Call prior to scheduling an appointment if you lived on a U.S. military base in Europe for 6 months or more from 1980-1996.

NOTE: The above represents basic guidelines regarding donor travel.  If you have specific questions or concerns about where you have traveled please call (310) 825-0888 x2.

RECENT SURGERY:

Minor: OK if healing is complete.
Major: Generally OK if healing is complete and no blood was transfused (except blood that you donated for yourself).

TATTOO: Persons who have had a tattoo in the last 12 months must not donate.

PIERCINGS: Persons who have had an ear, navel or eyebrow piercing in the last 12 months may donate if the procedure was performed in a commercial establishment with sterile needles or by a physician. You must not donate if you have had a genital, lip, mouth (anywhere) or nose piercing in the past 12 months.

HEPATITIS: If you had any type of hepatitis at 11 years of age or older, you must not donate. Close contact in the past 12 months with someone who has hepatitis may also disqualify you from donation.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE MEDICAL CONDITIONS or HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES-YOU MUST NOT DONATE:

• You have taken money or drugs for sex since 1977.
• You are a male who has had sex with another male since 1977.
• You have ever injected drugs not prescribed by a doctor.
• You have had sex in the last 12 months with someone who has done one of the above.
• You have had syphilis or gonorrhea in the last 12 months.
• You have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C.

          For more information >>

Eat well, drink extra fluids (2 quarts per day is suggested) for two days prior to your donation & avoid fatty foods.
WE REQUIRE PHOTO ID ON THE DAY OF DONATION.
We are looking forward to seeing you!

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