General Requirements For Blood Donation

Basic Requirements

We know that you would not donate unless you think your blood is safe. However, for us to assess all risks that may affect you or a patient receiving a transfusion, it is essential that you answer
each question completely and accurately. If you don’t understand a question, ask the blood center staff. All information you provide is confidential.

To determine if you are eligible to donate we will:

• Ask about your health and travel.
• Ask about medicines you are taking or have taken.
• Ask about your risk for infections that can be transmitted by blood — especially AIDS and viral hepatitis.
• Take your blood pressure, temperature and pulse.
• Take a blood sample to be sure your blood count is acceptable.

All donors should be in good health on the day of donation. To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old. 
• Weigh at least 114 lbs.
• Be free of major cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Have a photo ID with birthdate.
• Not have a history of Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C at any age.
• Not have had any risk factors/behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS.

A person should be in good health and feeling well on the day of donation, free of open skin lesions/wounds and infectious diseases, including flu and common cold. Prior to each donation, you will be given a mini-physical and medical interview. A prospective donor may be deferred at any point during the collection and testing process. After the deferral period ends, a donor can return to the San Diego Blood Bank donation center to be reevaluated and resume donation if all donor eligibility requirements are met.

If you have any questions regarding eligibility requirements for blood donation please call (619) 400-8251.

Preparing for your blood donation appointment

It’s easy to share your good health through blood donation. These steps will help you prepare for your donation and ensure the best possible experience:

• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Eat a healthy meal at least one hour before donating.
• Drink plenty of water before your donation.
• Make sure you bring verification of your identity — a driver’s license or government-issued ID card — showing your name, photo and date of birth.
• If you are donating platelets, be sure you have avoided taking aspirin for 48 hours before your donation.