what legal requirements are needed to donate blood

Who can donate blood?

• • Body weight of at least 45 kg.
• • In good physical and mental health with no chronic medical illness.
• • Not on long-term medications and has not been intoxicated by alcohol within 24 hours prior to donation.
• • Should not be fasting and have had enough sleep (minimum 5 hours) the night before donating. Those who wish to make an...

Full Answer

What conditions disqualify you from donating 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.

Why is 50 kg the minimum weight to donate blood?

Most people can give blood if they are in good health. There are some basic requirements one need to fulfill in order to become a blood donor. Below are some basic eligibility guidelines: Age: You are aged between 18 and 65.

What are the reasons why a person cannot donate blood?

The donor needs one of the following forms of ID: American Red Cross donor ID (preferred) Driver's license with photo Immigration and Naturalization Service card (green card) State ID Employee ID with photo Passport Student ID with photo Military ID

What is the minimum and maximum age to donate blood?

Healthy individuals who meet the following are encouraged to donate blood regularly: 16 and weigh at least 125 pounds ( with signed parental permission ), 17 and weigh at least 125 pounds or 18 and weigh at least 110 pounds

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states). Weigh at least 110 lbs. Additional height and weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school student donors. Have not donated blood in the last 56 days. View All Eligibility Requirements.

How to donate to the Red Cross?

Please make sure to bring your photo identification or Red Cross donor card with you. You should feel well on the day of donation. If you're not feeling well, we ask that you wait and donate when you're better. Here are some other helpful tips to prepare: 1 Get at least eight hours of sleep the night before your appointment 2 Eat a healthy breakfast or lunch – or both, if you’re donating later in the day 3 Choose lean proteins (lean meat, cheese and yogurt) or complex carbohydrates (bread, cereal and fruit) and avoid fatty foods 4 Drink a few extra glasses of water, including an extra glass about 10 to 30 minutes before your donation 5 Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be raised above your elbow

Why is iron important for blood donation?

Low iron, also known as iron deficiency, may lead to health problems, such as anemia, if left untreated. Healthy iron levels are important for your overall health and help to maintain strength and energy.

What is ferritin in blood?

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in tissues throughout your body. To continue providing the best possible donation experience for young donors whose bodies are still growing, the Red Cross is testing ferritin levels for all whole blood and power red donors between the ages of 16 and 18.

How long does it take to donate blood?

Your donation is, literally, a matter of life and death to someone in need of it. Typically, there is a two-day period from the time of donation until that blood is available to a patient, so we must have blood available before an emergency or natural disaster occurs.

How long does it take for blood to heal?

Blood donation can temporarily affect endurance performance. Full recovery of physical performance occurs within 14 days of a standard blood donation. If you are a competitive athlete, it is best to donate during your off-season.

How long is the deferral period for malaria?

Know the date you returned to the United States. If you traveled to a malaria-endemic area and stayed for less than six months, there is a three-month deferral period for blood donation.

How much does a 16 year old weigh?

16 and weigh at least 125 pounds ( with signed parental permission ), 17 and weigh at least 125 pounds or. 18 and weigh at least 110 pounds. If your question isn't answered below, or you need more detailed information BEFORE you donate, contact our eligibility hotline at 888-308-3924 .

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

General Guidelines. To donate blood or platelets, you must be in good general health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 16 years old. Parental consent is required for blood donation by 16 year olds; 16 year olds are NOT eligible to donate platelets.

Do you have to wear a mask at MSK?

Masks Are Still Required at MSK. Patients and visitors must continue to wear masks while at MSK, including people who are fully vaccinated. MSK is offering COVID-19 vaccines to all patients age 12 and over. To schedule or learn more, read this.

What are the requirements to donate blood?

To meet the basic requirements for donating blood, you must be in good health and. Have a pulse and blood pressure within acceptable limits. Have a normal temperature. Meet the minimum age requirement per applicable state law. Have an acceptable normal blood hemoglobin level.

How long does it take to donate blood?

The entire procedure takes about an hour and includes: Donating the blood (This takes about 15 to 20 minutes.)

What is the FDA responsible for?

The FDA, through the Center for Biologics and Research (CBER), is responsible for ensuring the safety of the more than the approximately 11 million units of whole blood donated each year in the United States. These donations can be further processed into blood components such as Red Blood Cells, platelets, and plasma.

What is FDA regulation?

FDA's regulations and guidance regarding blood donor eligibility, blood donation and processing help protect the health of both the donor and the recipient. FDA oversight of the blood industry includes: Approving devices used for blood collection, infectious disease testing and pathogen reduction technologies.

What is a donor screening?

Donor screening. Donors are provided with educational material and asked to self-defer if they have risk factors that may affect blood safety. Donors are then asked specific questions about their medical history and other risk factors that may affect the safety of their donation.

What is the FDA working on?

FDA scientists are working to develop sensitive donor screening tests to detect emerging diseases and potential bioterrorism agents in blood donations. They are also working to improve blood donor screening tests to detect variant strains of HIV, West Nile virus and hepatitis viruses.

What is donor screening?

Donor screening consists of reviewing the donor's relevant medical records for risk factors for, and clinical evidence of, relevant communicable disease agents and diseases [1271.75] .

What is the FDA's regulation for human tissue?

FDA has regulated human tissue intended for transplantation under 21 CFR 1270, since 1993. Part 1270 contains requirements for determining the suitability of a donor of human tissue intended for transplantation, as well as requirements for written procedures, record keeping and inspection.

Where is the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research?

If you have questions, please contact the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852-1448, 800-835-4709 or 301-827-1800.

What is urgent medical need?

An urgent medical need means that no comparable HCT/P is available and the recipient is likely to suffer death or serious morbidity without the HCT/P [1271.3 (u)]. If you make an HCT/P available for use under urgent medical need, you must utilize special labeling. [1271.60 (d) (2)].

What is the FDA final guidance?

The final guidance represents the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) current thinking on eligibility for donors of human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products. In guidance, FDA provides recommendations to assist establishments making donor eligibility determinations in complying with the requirements in ...

Do HCT donors need to be screened?

In addition to those relevant communicable diseases for which all HCT/P donors must be screened (see 1271.75 (b)), donors of viable, leukocyte-rich HCT/Ps are also screened for risk factors for, and clinical evidence of, relevant cell-associated communicable disease agents and diseases, including human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV).