Every year, 4.5 million Americans require a blood transfusion, and to meet this demand, January has been designated National Blood Donor Month, a time dedicated to helping bolster the nation’s supply of healthy blood for those in need.
While everyone over the age of 16 in most states is eligible to donate blood, other variables are also to be considered. By understanding donor health and medication requirements, you can make a real, potentially lifesaving impact on someone’s life.
If you have specific questions about donating blood and would like to speak to someone to understand the process more fully, feel free to contact us today for a full breakdown.
Donor Health Considerations
When it comes to donating blood, there are health considerations to take into account before going through the process.
For whole blood donation, here are some key requirements:
- You can only donate every 56 days
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs
- Minimum hemoglobin level of 12.5 grams per deciliter for women
- Minimum hemoglobin level of 13 grams per deciliter for men
- Cannot have received a blood transfusion within the last six months
This criterion shifts slightly if you are only donating platelets, particularly in terms of frequency, but with all forms of blood donation, you must be well-hydrated, fed, and feel healthy that day.
Donor Medication Considerations
Taking medication regularly and for specific circumstances can affect a person’s eligibility to donate blood, as strict regulations ensure recipients receive safe and healthy blood.
Some medications and circumstances that may disqualify you from being eligible to donate blood include:
- Blood thinners
- Antibiotics
- Exposure to countries designated a high risk for malaria
- Accutane and other common acne treatment medications
- Pain relievers
- HIV PreP or PEP
- Hepatitis B
Any of these medications taken recently will require a wait period for donors that ranges from 24 hours up to several months.
For a complete list of blood donor medication, eligibility, and wait periods, click here or contact Community Pharmacy regarding your medication. We can let you know if you are eligible to donate.
Donate Today to Help Someone Tomorrow
Just donating blood once is estimated to be able to save as many as three lives, and the entire process takes less than an hour to complete. As each person can only receive certain blood types based on their own, hospitals need to have a varied and deep stock of all the variants.
Whether you’ve donated in the past or are looking to do so for the first time, there’s no better time than January to do so. Giving blood is a simple way to give back to your community, a gesture and action that can potentially save the life of a stranger or loved one in the future.
