american red cross who can donate blood

The FDA requires the Red Cross to have donors select either male or female. Individuals who do not have sex with another person may be eligible to donate blood. Learn more about blood donation eligibility. If I have been deferred for MSM, when will I be able to donate blood?

Full Answer

Did the Red Cross ever pay donors money for blood?

You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent, if allowed by state law. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation.

Why not to donate to the Red Cross?

The Red Cross encourages individuals to learn more about blood donation eligibility. Transgender Donors The FDA revised guidance states, “In the context of the donor history questionnaire, FDA recommends that male or female gender be taken to be self-identified and self-reported.”

Does the Red Cross really sell donated blood to hospitals?

The Red Cross encourages donors to access their screening results through our Red Cross Blood Donor App or on our donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. This will provide the most expedient access to test results. If a donor has questions or issues with the Blood Donor App or portal functionality, please contact 855-210-1278.

Does the Red Cross accept donations other than blood?

Dec 12, 2019 · If you have traveled or lived in a country with a high risk of malaria, a waiting period may be required before you can donate blood. These restrictions are subject to change, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html#eligibility-travel for the most current restrictions and waiting periods. Variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (“Mad Cow” Disease, vCJD) Studies have …

What disqualifies a person to donate blood?

Blood and bleeding diseases or issues will often disqualify you from donating blood. If you suffer from hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease, hereditary hemochromatosis, or sickle cell disease, you are not eligible to donate blood. If you have sickle cell trait, it is still acceptable for you to donate blood.Jan 15, 2021

Who can donate blood to whom?

What are the major blood types?If your blood type is:You can give to:You can receive from:O PositiveO+, A+, B+, AB+O+, O-A PositiveA+, AB+A+, A-, O+, O-B PositiveB+, AB+B+, B-, O+, O-AB PositiveAB+ OnlyAll Blood Types4 more rows

Who Cannot donate blood plasma?

People who have a fever, productive cough, or are feeling generally unwell shouldn't donate. This also applies to people who are currently receiving antibiotics for active infections. Medical conditions. There are 23 conditions that the American Red Cross considers when screening blood donors.Sep 22, 2020

Can I donate blood if I was in Europe during mad cow?

You may be eligible now. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted a longstanding ban that prevented some 4.4 million Veterans, service members and civilians stationed in certain parts of Europe between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood.Jan 14, 2021

Why can't family members donate blood to each other?

Family blood donation is generally discouraged as they are often first time or infrequent donors and do not have a safety history established. Additionally, mothers may have antibodies that react against RBC, leukocyte, platelet, or HLA antigens expressed on neonatal cells.

What is the best blood to donate?

Whole Blood Types O negative and O positive are best suited to donate red blood cells. O negative is the universal blood type, meaning that anyone can receive your blood. And O- and O+ blood are both extra special when it comes to traumas where there is no time for blood typing.

Why do they check your elbows when donating plasma?

Because arteries have higher blood pressure than veins, a puncture can lead to bleeding into the arm tissues around the puncture site. The signs of an arterial puncture include a faster blood flow and lighter-than-usual color of blood running through the tubes to the machine collecting your plasma.

Can diabetics donate blood?

People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are eligible to give blood donations. You should have your condition under control and be in otherwise good health before you donate blood. Having your diabetes under control means that you maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

What can I donate to make money?

You'll get some fast cash, and, in some cases, your assets are renewable.Donate Plasma. One of the easiest ways to make some cash regularly from your body is to donate plasma. ... Sell Your Hair. There is actually a market for human hair. ... Donate Bone Marrow. ... Donate Sperm. ... Donate Eggs. ... Paid Testing. ... Join a Focus group.Mar 7, 2022

Can a British person give blood in Canada?

People who lived in the U.K., France, Saudi Arabia and Western Europe over certain periods of time can't donate blood. That's because of concerns about variant ​Creutzfeldt-Jakob (vCJD), sometimes called the human equivalent of mad cow disease.Oct 1, 2014

Can I give blood in Australia if I lived in the UK?

Because of this risk of transmission, in Australia donated blood , breastmilk and tissues are not accepted from people who lived in the UK for six months or more between 1980 and 1996.Apr 4, 2018

Do tattoos disqualify you from donating blood?

Many people mistakenly believe that having a tattoo means it is not possible to donate blood. The truth is that most people with tattoos can donate blood, as long as they do not have certain diseases. Sometimes, a person may need to wait up to 12 months after getting a tattoo before donating blood.Mar 18, 2020

How does the blood donation process work?

Donating blood is a simple thing to do, but can make a big difference in the lives of others. The donation process from the time you arrive until t...

What should I do after donating blood?

After you give blood:Take the following precautions:Drink an extra four glasses (eight ounces each) of non-alcoholic liquids.Keep your bandage on a...

Will it hurt when you insert the needle?

Only for a moment. Pinch the fleshy, soft underside of your arm. That pinch is similar to what you will feel when the needle is inserted.

How long does a blood donation take?

The entire process takes about one hour and 15 minutes; the actual donation of a pint of whole blood unit takes eight to 10 minutes. However, the t...

How long will it take to replenish the pint of blood I donate?

The plasma from your donation is replaced within about 24 hours. Red cells need about four to six weeks for complete replacement. That’s why at lea...

Why does the Red Cross ask so many personal questions when I give blood?

The highest priorities of the Red Cross are the safety of the blood supply and our blood donors. Some individuals may be at risk of transferring co...

How often can I donate blood?

You must wait at least eight weeks (56 days) between donations of whole blood and 16 weeks (112 days) between Power Red donations. Platelet apheres...

Who can donate blood?

In most states, donors must be age 17 or older. Some states allow donation by 16-year-olds with a signed parental consent form. Donors must weigh a...

Are guests or kids allowed to come to blood drives or donation centers with a donor?

During this coronavirus outbreak, the Red Cross is not allowing guests including children to enter a blood drive or center to ensure we can maintai...

What is apheresis?

Apheresis is the process by which platelets and other specific blood components (red cells or plasma) are collected from a donor. The word “apheres...

How to contact the Red Cross for blood donation?

Individuals with questions about their donation eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. For the purposes of blood donation gender is self-identified and self-reported, which is relevant to the transgender community.

What is the age limit for blood donation?

There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation. Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood.

How long after taking aspirin can you donate blood?

Aspirin. Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you may donate platelets is Thursday.

How long after blood transfusion can you donate?

Blood Transfusion. Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person in the United States. You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion since 1980 in France, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands.

Does the Red Cross accept hemochromatosis?

American Red Cross does not accept individuals with hemochromatosis as blood donors. Learn more about Hematocrit here. Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count. In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL.

How long do you have to wait to donate blood?

Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations. Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations . Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations. First-time male donors may be eligible to donate blood if they have not had sex with another man in more than 3 months.

How is blood volume determined?

Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using.

What percentage of the population is eligible to donate blood?

These eligibility criteria apply to all U.S. blood collection organizations. Only an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time.

Does the Red Cross test blood for infectious diseases?

Yes. The Red Cross tests each unit of donated blood for a number of infectious diseases. While testing has greatly improved, it is not 100 percent effective at detecting infectious diseases in donors with very early infection.

Is blood donation based on sexual orientation?

The American Red Cross believes blood donation eligibility should not be determined by methods that are based upon sexual orientation. We are committed to working with partners toward achieving this goal. We understand that there is a difference between biological sex and gender.

How does blood donation work?

The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average. The steps in the process are:#N#Registration#N#You will complete donor registration, which includes information such as your name, address, phone number, and donor identification number (if you have one).#N#You will be asked to show a donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of ID.#N#Health History and Mini Physical#N#You will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and the places you have traveled.#N#You will have your temperature, hemoglobin, blood pressure and pulse checked.#N#Donation#N#We will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand–new, sterile needle for the blood draw. This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds.#N#You will have some time to relax while the bag is filling. (For a whole blood donation, it is about 8-10 minutes. If you are donating platelets, red cells or plasma by apheresis the collection can take up to 2 hours.)#N#When approximately a pint of blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on your arm.#N#Refreshments#N#You will spend a few minutes enjoying refreshments to allow your body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluid volume.#N#After 10-15 minutes you can then leave the donation site and continue with your normal daily activities.#N#Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you have helped to save lives.#N#Your gift of blood may help up to three people. Donated red blood cells do not last forever. They have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days.

Why is the Red Cross important?

The highest priorities of the Red Cross are the safety of the blood supply and our blood donors. Some individuals may be at risk of transferring communicable disease through blood donation due to exposure via travel or other activities or may encounter problems with blood donation due to their health.

What is the process of collecting blood from a donor?

Apheresis is the process by which platelets and other specific blood components (red cells or plasma) are collected from a donor. The word “apheresis” is derived from the Greek word aphaeresis meaning “to take away.”. This process is accomplished by using a machine called a cell separator.

Why is the Red Cross collecting plasma?

The Red Cross is collecting plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to help current patients battling this new coronavirus. COVID-19 convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and contains antibodies that might help patients actively fighting the virus.

How long do red blood cells last?

Your gift of blood may help up to three people. Donated red blood cells do not last forever. They have a shelf-life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days.

Why do we measure blood pressure?

When you come to donate blood at the American Red Cross, we measure your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin because the results provide information about your current health at the time of your donation. The Red Cross does not diagnose medical conditions or offer treatment.

How does plasma work?

During a plasma donation, blood is drawn from an arm and sent through a high-tech machine that collects your plasma and then safely and comfortably returns your red cells back to you, along with some saline. Because of this process, donating plasma does take longer than a regular whole blood donation.

Where is Zika virus transmitted?

To date it has been found in North and South America, certain African countries, and Southeast Asia. If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html#eligibility-travel for the latest information on eligibility.

Can you donate blood for mad cow?

Therefore, if you spent long periods of time in countries where mad cow disease is found, you may not eligible to donate blood.

Is it safe to donate blood?

All blood donated through the American Red Cross must undergo extensive testing to ensure that it is safe to give to patients. However, some serious conditions cannot be identified by basic testing and must be self-reported for additional investigation. One common way that donors can be exposed to untestable conditions is through travel outside ...

What does the Red Cross do?

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.

Is the Red Cross a nonprofit?

The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Is there a deferral time for blood donation?

In most cases, there’s no blood donation deferral time if you receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To help clarify donation eligibility questions and address inaccurate information related to blood donation and COVID-19 vaccines, here are some answers to common questions.