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Basic Blood Donation Guidelines and Donor Eligibility      back to top

You may donate blood if you:
• are in good health and feel well today
• are at least 17 years of age.
• weigh at least 100 pounds (110 on    Mobile Unit)
• do not have serious heart or lung disease
• have not had dental work within the last    24 hours
• have eaten recently
• have a photo ID


Temporary Blood Donation Deferrals     
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You should not donate blood if, in the past year, you have:
    • had sex, even once, with anyone who
    • has taken money or drugs in exchange for sex
    • has AIDS or a positive test for AIDS
    • has given themselves non-prescription drugs by needle
    • (for women) had sex with a man who has had sex with another man, even        once, since 1977
    • had or been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea
    • had a blood transfusion, organ transplant, tattoo, skin piercing or needle-stick       injury.

Other temporary blood donor deferrals:
    • are pregnant or are less than 6 weeks post-partum.
    • taking antibiotics w/in 48 hours.
    • your iron level is too low



Permanent Blood Donation Deferrals     
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You should not donate blood if you have:
    • have had any forms of Cancer with the exceptions of Basal Cell Skin Cancer       or treatment for in situ Cervical Cancer
    • have had a Heart Attack
    • have had Hepatitis (viral)
    • have ever traveled to or lived in the United Kingdom (England, Northern       Ireland, Scotland Wales, The Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands) for a total       of three months between the years of 1980 and 1996 or traveled to or lived       anywhere in Europe for a total of five years since 1980. There are some       exceptions regarding military bases. For questions regarding travel, please call       (617)726-8177.
    • want a blood test for AIDS or HIV
    • have any signs or symptoms of AIDS such as: fevers, night sweats,       unexplained weight loss, cough, diarrhea, swollen glands, white spots in the       mouth, or purple or blue bumps on the skin
    • have given yourself a non-prescription drug by needle (including steroids) even       once
    • have ever taken clotting factor concentrates
    • (for men) had sex with another man, even once, since 1977
    • have taken drugs or money for sex since 1977


Blood Donor Survey     
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Thank you for donating blood!

People like you make the difference between life and death for thousands of patients at MGH every year.

For our part we would like to do everything we can to make your blood donation experience as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Please help us by filling out the following brief blood donor survey.

 

 Name


 Email Address


 Type of Donation
whole blood platelet


 Did the donation take longer or shorter time than you thought it would?
Longer Shorter


 Did you feel more or less appreciated after you donation than you thought you would?
More Less


 Did the donation cause more or less discomfort than you thought it would?
More Less


 Overall, was your experience at the MGH Blood Donor Center a positive one?
yes no


 If you are not a regular donor, what would
 encourage you to donate more often?


 Please share any additional thoughts, experiences or suggestions you might have.
 


 

 

© Copyright 2001, 2002 Mass General Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

 



Donation Date Calcuator     back to top


Donors are eligible to donate whole blood
every 56 days – up to six times a year.

When inputing months and days,
please do not use a leading zero.
For example – for September 2 –
use "9" and "2" – not "09" or "02."
Last donation Month:
Day:
Year:
Click 'Next' to see when
you could donate again.
Next donation Month:
Day:
Year: