Blood donation is a selfless act that can treat and support millions suffering from chronic health issues. The urgency to donate blood has increased, especially over the Covid-19 pandemic, with the lack of donated blood becoming a worry.
Every year World Blood Donor Day - on June 14 - raises awareness of the importance of blood donation, encouraging many to take steps to get involved as blood donors.
However, as much as a person may want to donate blood, it's also important to know that there are certain requirements by the WHO that don't allow certain people to give blood.
Who can donate blood?
You can donate blood if you:
- are aged between 17 and 65
- weigh between 50kg and 158kg
- have suitable veins (which will be checked before you donate)
- meet all donor eligibility criteria
- are generally fit and well
Who can't donate blood?
Blood drawn from someone who is unfit to donate is not just bad for the donor but also may worsen the health of the patient being given the blood.
You can't donate blood if you:
- have/had most types of cancer
- have some heart conditions
- have received blood, platelets, plasma or any other blood products after January 1 1980
- have tested HIV+
- have had an organ transplant
- are a hepatitis B or C carrier
- have injected non-prescribed drugs, including body-building and injectable tanning agents. If these were prescribed by a doctor, you might still be able to donate
- have other medical conditions that prevent you from donate. Find the full list on the NHS health, eligibility and travel section
Who has to wait to give blood?
Some people may not be able eligible to donate blood on a temporary basis due to some health, travel or lifestyle reasons.
You may have to wait up to three months before you can donate, if you've had certain sexual activity. This includes:
- if you've had anal sex with a new partner in the past three months
- if you've finished taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in the past three months
- if you've had sexual contact with a partner who is HIV+, HTVL+, is a hepatitis B or C carrier, syphilis positive
- if you've had sexual contact with someone who received money or drugs for sex
- if you've had sexual contact with someone who injected non-prescribed drugs including body-building and injectable tanning agents
Some other reasons you will need to wait before donating blood include:
- if you feel ill
- you are pregnant or had a baby in the last six months
- you recently got a tattoo or piercing
- if you travel to and from certain countries outside the UK
- you are undergoing assessment or investigations for a medical condition like heart condition
If you're unsure about who can or cannot donate, you can call 0300 123 23 23 for more information or check the NHS Blood and Transplant website.
