how old is too old to donate blood

by Breanne Hirthe 10 min read

There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. 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.

Can you give blood if you are over 70?

Each donation can potentially save up to three lives. In 2017 don't just give up, give.” In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood.Dec 29, 2016

Is 78 too old to donate blood?

It's a common myth that seniors are “too old” to donate blood. But as long as you meet the eligibility requirements, there is no upper age limit on blood donation. Your blood can save somebody's life just as well as a younger person's!Jan 25, 2013

Who Cannot donate blood?

You must be in good health at the time you donate. You cannot donate if you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection. If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure.

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.

What is the rarest blood type?

type ABIn the U.S., the blood type AB, Rh negative is considered the rarest, while O positive is most common.May 18, 2020

What medical conditions disqualify you from donating plasma?

People can't donate if they have or had tuberculosis, heart disease (and currently taking medication for it), sickle cell anemia, certain types of cancer, or malaria (contracted in the past three years or travelled to an endemic area in the past year).Nov 12, 2019

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.