Donor Eligibility
What you need to donate
- Must be in good health and at least 17 years old, (16 years old with parental consent)
- Weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (115 pounds, if 16 years old)
- Must have a valid identification (CA ID or driver’s license or passport)
What can cause you to be deferred?
Temporary Deferrals:
- Colds, flu, sore throat (until resolved)
- Infections (until resolved and off antibiotics)
- Piercings with non-reusable needles (until healed)
- Pregnancy (6 weeks after delivery/termination date)
Longer Term Deferrals:
- Bacterial and viral meningitis (1 year after recovery)
- Cancer (1 year after treatment completion)
- Extended dental work (1 year for donor tissue or donor bone transplant)
- Heart Disease (1 year if symptomatic in the past year or heart function controlled with medication)
- Syphilis (1 year after treatment completion)
- Tattoos including touch-ups (1 year after receiving tattoo)
- Unlicensed vaccine (1 year)
- Tuberculosis (3 years after treatment completion)
Permanent Deferrals:
- AIDS (HIV infection or positive test for HIV)
- Hepatitis (after 10 years of age)
- I.V. drug use (ever)
- Lung disease-current use of oxygen to overcome physical limitations