Blood stocks are critically low…

15th February 2025 | Health

Are you a blood donor?

Who can give blood

Find out if you are able to give blood for the first time. Use this link

www.blood.co.uk/who-can-give-blood/

Who can donate blood

To donate blood you will need to:

  • be generally fit and well
  • be aged between 17 and 65
  • weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and 25 stone (158kg)
  • have suitable veins (we will check these before you donate)
  • meet all donor eligibility criteria (we will check this with you before you donate)

Who can’t donate blood

You can’t donate blood if you:

  • have had most types of cancer
  • have some heart conditions
  • have received blood, platelets, plasma or any other blood products after 1 January 1980
  • have tested positive for HIV
  • have had an organ transplant
  • are a hepatitis B carrier
  • are a hepatitis C carrier
  • have injected non-prescribed drugs including body-building and injectable tanning agents. You may be able to give if a doctor prescribed the drugs

There are other medical conditions that may mean you can’t donate.

Sexual activity that means you may have to wait

You may have to wait up to three months before you can donate if:

  • you have had anal sex with a new partner in the last three  months
  • you finished taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in the last three months

in the last three months you have had sexual contact with a partner who is:

  • HIV positive
  • HTLV positive
  • a hepatitis B carrier
  • a hepatitis C carrier
  • syphilis positive
  • has received money or drugs for sex
  • has injected non-prescribed drugs including body-building and injectable tanning agents

Other reasons why you might need to wait

You will need to wait before you can donate if you:

  • feel ill
  • are pregnant or had a baby in the last 6 months
  • have recently got a tattoo or piercing
  • travel to and from certain countries outside the UK
  • are undergoing assessment or investigations for a medical condition. For example, heart condition

Female donors under 20 years old

Check how much blood you have

If you are a woman under 20 and you weigh under 10st 3lb (65kg) or are under 5′ 6″ (168cm) tall we will need to check you have enough blood to donate safely.

Do consider giving blood – you could be saving a life!

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