Donating Blood

Who Can Donate?
Anyone who is in good health, is at least 18 years old (persons 16 or 17 years old may donate with a Blood Program permission slip signed by a parent or guardian), and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days.

  • Questions regarding blood or apheresis donations, call: 800-398-7888.

Questions About Eligibility
Some health conditions or medications may temporarily or permanently prevent persons from donating blood.

If you have a question regarding your eligibility to donate blood and would like to discuss it with someone:

Medical Conditions

HIV/AIDS, individuals at high risk and their partners cannot donate
Cold and Flu: You should not donate today if you are currently experiencing symptoms of a “cold” or “flu”
 cannot donate today
Diabetes, on or off medication and under control can donate
Viral Hepatitis cannot donate
Pregnancy cannot donate
Pregnancy, after delivery, miscarriage, abortion six-week wait
Menstruation can donate
Cancer, treatment complete and disease-free; most types one year wait
Low Hemoglobin Read more
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosed by a physician cannot donate

Note: People with, or who have had, cancer, should contact the Clinical Specialist at 206-292-2543 to determine eligibility.

Medical Procedures

Surgery, without transfusion or certain all transfusions were Autologous can donate
Surgery, with transfusion 1-year wait

Medications

Antibiotics (used for Acne is acceptable), Injectable, Oral seven-day wait

Allergy medications, diuretics, diet pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, Tylenol

can donate

Aspirin

 can donate blood, but not platelets
Blood Pressure Medication (most types) can donate

Vaccinations

Measles (rubella) and MMR one-month wait
Flu can donate
Hepatitis B two-week wait

Other Possible Restrictions

Ear/Body Piercing, sterile procedure/equipment used can donate
Ear/Body Piercing, non-sterile procedure/equipment used one-year wait
Tattooing, licensed facility in WA, OR, CA, and ID can donate
Tattooing, non-licensed facility or outside WA, OR, CA, and ID one year wait
Travel outside the US or Canada Contact us, see below
Donor deferral, men who have sex with men (MSM) Read more

Questions

If you have additional questions regarding eligibility:

You Cannot get AIDS from Donating Blood
Only sterile, disposable equipment is used throughout the donation process, which makes it virtually impossible to contract a disease from donating blood.