Can I Donate?

To give whole blood, platelets or plasma you must:

  • be at least 17 years old (16 in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky with parental consent) - Download Consent Form
  • weigh at least 110 lbs. High school students and donors under the age of 19 must also meet the additional height and weight requirements listed below.

    Male donors under the age of 19 must weigh 110 pounds or more, depending on their height according to the following chart:
    If you are
    		 4'10" 4'11" 5' or taller
    You must weigh at least
    		 120 115 110

    Female donors under the age of 19 must weigh 110 lbs or more, depending on their height according to the following chart:
    If you are
    		 4'10" 4'11" 5' 5'1" 5'2" 5'3" 5'4" 5'5" 5'6" or taller
    You must weigh at least
    		 146 141 138 133 129 124 118 115 110
  • be in good health*

You may donate:

  • whole blood every 56 days
  • platelets up to 24 times per year.
  • plasma every 28 days, up to 13 times in a 12-month period
  • double red cells every 112 days, up to 3 times in a 12-month period

If you are male, you may give double red cells if you:

  • are at least 17 years old
  • are at least 5'1"
  • weigh at least 130 lbs.
  • have a hemoglobin of at least 13.3 gm/dl

If you are female, you may give double red cells if you:

  • are at least 17 years old
  • are at least 5'5"
  • weigh at least 150 lbs.
  • have a hemoglobin of at least 13.3 gm/dl

* "In good health" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have an on-going health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure and the condition is under control after treatment, you are considered healthy. Visit Blood Donation Eligibility Guidelines for more information. Other aspects of your health history are discussed prior to each blood donation and you may be considered ineligible to donate based on your response.

If you have questions about medications or health conditions that might affect your abliity to donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or click here to email.

Were you previously deferred from donation? Some donors can be reinstated due to changes in guidelines. Deferred donors may call 1-800-652-9742 x4616 or click here to email.