Updates in donor eligibility
As of June 4, 2024, our acceptance criteria for those who have a diagnosis of cancer has changed. If you have been treated with chemotherapy or radiation, you will be eligible to donate one-year post-completion of treatment. If you have been treated with surgery, please give us a call. Leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and multiple myeloma still remain a permanent deferral.
The following is general donation criteria. This is not a complete list. The information below serves only as a guideline to donor eligibility. Please contact The Donor Center at Roswell Park at 716-845-8275 if you have any questions.
For all donations
- Minimum weight: 110 pounds
- Minimum age: 17 years of age
- Must be in general good health (not experiencing any active cold or flu symptoms, headaches, cold sore or infections at time of donation)
- Must not have donated whole blood within the last 56 days.
- Please eat a healthy, hearty meal a few hours before your donation (examples: meat, seafood, dark leafy green vegetables, raisins, dates, nuts, whole grain breads and cereal, eggs, and fresh fruits, especially citrus fruits).
The Donor Center is following new donor screening requirements issued by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as of June 2023. We encourage you to read the detailed donor screening updates as per the FDA.
Additional criteria
Temporary reasons
Condition | Length of time before you can give blood |
|---|---|
Not feeling well for any reason | Until symptoms are over |
Cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, flu | Until 3 days after symptoms are over |
Travel to an area of the world where malaria is a risk | Some travel areas outside the US and Canada may cause temporary waiting periods to donate due to high-risk of malaria. Travel/trip to malaria risk area (>24 hours) – Deferral period is 3 months after departure. Residence (lived >5 years) in a malaria risk area – a complete evaluation will be made at the time of donation or contact us for further information. |
Heart disease | Contact us for medical eligibility at 716-845-8275 |
Body piercing | 3 months after procedure unless done under sterile conditions |
Tattoos | 3 months after last tattoo (including eyebrow microblading) |
Blood transfusion | 3 months after receiving blood |
Pregnancy, abortion or miscarriage | Six weeks after end of pregnancy. If you have ever been pregnant, you will need to donate whole blood prior to being able to donate platelets. There’s an antibody screening that must be done prior to donating platelets, which is completed through a whole blood donation. Please call us at 716-845-8275 if you have any questions. |
Surgery, serious injury | When healing is complete and feeling well. |
Syphilis, gonorrhea | 3 months after treatment completed |
Chlamydia, venereal warts (HPV), or genital herpes | Accept |
Dental work | Routine dental procedures acceptable. Oral surgery, root canal, or tooth extraction- deferral is 72 hours from procedure. Non-routine dental procedures, please call. |
Skin Disease, Rash or Acne | Acceptable providing the needle site area is free and clear. Certain acne medications require a waiting period after the last dose. |
Vaccinations/Immunizations | In some cases, a deferral period may be necessary. Please discuss your recent vaccination history with your collections specialist. Flu shots do NOT have a waiting period. |
Have had sex with someone who has hepatitis B or hepatitis C | 3 months after last occurrence |
You have had sex with anyone listed in the first three items under Permanent Reasons below | 3 months after last occurrence |
Cancer-related reasons
Type | Length of time before you can give blood |
|---|---|
Localized basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, melanoma in-situ, melanoma stage 0 | Acceptable if completely excised and healed, and not taking any medications on our deferral list. See medication list. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) - defer 48 hours from date of last treatment. |
Carcinoma-in-situ ( the stage where cancer cells are still within their site of origin) of the vulva, cervix or breast; papillary thyroid carcinoma, melanoma in-situ, melanoma stage 0 | Acceptable when treatment is completed |
Leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and multiple myeloma | Permanent deferral |
All solid tumors | Accept two weeks from date of surgery if released from doctor’s care, feeling well, and full activity has been resumed with no restrictions and/or one year from date of last chemotherapy or radiation treatment. |
Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) | Accept elevated PSA and no diagnosis of cancer. Not taking any medication on deferral list. See medication list. |
Tamoxifen and other medications used for breast cancer preventative treatment | Acceptable, provided the donor meets all other criteria for cancer |
Medications Deferral List
Download our medication deferral list
Please do not give blood if you:
(Permanent Reasons)
- Have used illegal drugs with a needle, even once
- Have ever had a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus)
- Are a man or woman who has had sex for money or drugs any time since 1977
- Are a hemophiliac
- Had viral hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- Had babesiosis or Chagas disease
- Have a blood relative who had CJD
*If you have any additional questions or concerns about donating, please contact us at 716-845-8275.
*The reasons for not being eligible to donate blood may change at any time.