{"id":7806,"date":"2020-01-06T10:00:09","date_gmt":"2020-01-06T15:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=7806"},"modified":"2025-05-29T12:36:51","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T16:36:51","slug":"can-i-donate-blood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-i-donate-blood\/","title":{"rendered":"Who can donate blood\u2014and who can\u2019t"},"content":{"rendered":"

Donating blood means giving the gift of life, yet despite the ongoing need for blood donations, only <\/span>3 out of every 100<\/span> people are blood donors. With patients in the United States requiring blood <\/span>every two seconds,<\/span> the nation\u2019s blood banks constantly seek volunteer donors to maintain a readily available blood supply.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why donate blood?<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cA single blood donation can save the lives of up to three people,\u201d says <\/span>Ross Coyle<\/span>, spokesperson for the Stanford Blood Center, an independent community blood center in Palo Alto, California. \u201cBlood donations are typically down during the winter and summer months due to weather and vacations, yet the need for blood donations is a year-round issue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to helping others, donating blood also benefits donors. Studies show that donating blood can improve heart health by lowering <\/span>cholesterol<\/span> and reducing the risk of a <\/span>heart attack.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is donated blood used for?<\/b><\/h2>\n

John Cunha, DO<\/span><\/a>, an emergency medicine physician at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, says blood donations are critical for many reasons and needed for both emergencies and long-term treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDonated blood is used for trauma patients such as those injured in natural disasters or mass tragedies, cancer patients who require blood transfusions, and those who lose blood during major surgeries,\u201d Dr. Cunha says. \u201cYou never know when you or a loved one might need a blood donation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I donate blood?<\/b><\/h2>\n

What are the requirements for donating blood?<\/b><\/h3>\n

All blood banks maintain eligibility requirements for potential donors in order to protect both the blood donor and recipient. Coyle<\/a> says those who are interested in becoming a blood donor should consider the following and advises contacting your local blood bank if you have additional questions:<\/span><\/p>\n

Age:<\/b> Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 in some states with a signed parental consent form). Coyle says there\u2019s no upper age limit to donating blood as long as you\u2019re in good health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weight:<\/b> Blood donors should be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper weight limit.<\/span><\/p>\n

What will disqualify you from giving blood?<\/b><\/h3>\n

There aren\u2019t a lot of requirements around who <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> donate blood, but there are many conditions that can prevent you from donating.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anemia:<\/b> Experts say <\/span>low hemoglobin<\/span><\/a> levels (less than 12.5 g\/dL) is the number one reason people are unable to donate blood. If you have a low hemoglobin level, the blood bank may suggest consulting with your healthcare provider on how to raise your levels and then returning in the future to donate blood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear:<\/b> Some attribute their reluctance to donate blood to anxieties about the process, such as a needle phobia or fear of fainting. Coyle says donating blood is safe. And it only takes about <\/span>15<\/span><\/a> minutes. The majority of donors feel fine afterward and have no side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pregnancy:<\/b> Blood cannot be donated during pregnancy or for six weeks after giving birth.<\/span><\/p>\n

LGBTQ donors:<\/b> The <\/span>current FDA policy<\/a><\/span>\u00a0says that all donors, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, can\u2019t donate blood if any of the following are true:<\/span><\/p>\n