Blood donation can help save patients' lives. To meet the needs of patients throughout our state, BloodCenter of Wisconsin must collect over 700 units of blood 6 days a week, every week of the year. You can do more good than you know by donating blood on a regular basis.
For additional information, please select from the following options:
Donor Eligibility
Medications and health history
Common health history questions
Biggest eligibility myths
Find a donation location near you
Donor Eligibility
All donors should be in good health on the day of donation. To be eligible to donate, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old. (16-year-olds may donate with parental consent. For more information, please read Parental Information on Blood Donation.)
- Weigh at least 110 lbs.
- Be free of major cold, flu, and allergy symptoms.
- Present a photo I.D. with birth date
- Not have had hepatitis after age 11.
- Not have had any risk factors/behaviors associated with HIV/AIDS.
If you have questions about your eligibility, or questions after your donation, e-mail
BloodCenter of Wisconsin and a staff member will get back to you within 48 hours.
Additional eligibility criteria for donors age 16 to 18:
| Male: |
| If you are | 4’10” | 4’11” | 5’ or taller | | | |
| You must weigh | 120 lbs | 115 lbs | 110 lbs | | | |
| |
| Female: |
| If you are | 5’1” | 5’2” | 5’3” | 5’4” | 5’5” | 5’6” |
| You must weigh | 133 lbs | 129 lbs | 124 lbs | 118 lbs | 115 lbs | 110 lbs |
| Females: if you are shorter than 5’ 1”, you may still be eligible to donate blood. |
Medications and Health History
Most medications are acceptable. You can view a list of unacceptable medications and an explanation as to why they are unacceptable.
Donors must be infection-free at the time of donation. If you are taking an antibiotic for an active infection, please wait until the infection has cleared before donating.
It is also important to know your health history. Be ready to discuss any past or present health conditions or surgeries. Your health history is confidential and will not be shared with anyone other than BloodCenter of Wisconsin staff members.
Common Health History Questions
Below are some common conditions/situations that people ask about.
- Antibiotics – You can donate three days after finishing antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). You can donate if you are taking antibiotics to prevent an infection, for example, following dental procedures or for acne. Antibiotics for acne do not disqualify you from donating.
- Dental work – You can donate if there is no infection.
- Flu Vaccination – You can donate if you are feeling well.
- Heart disease – A history of heart disease may require a letter of approval from your physician. Final approval is subject to review by a BloodCenter of Wisconsin physician. This will be determined during your health history when you come in to donate.
- Infections – You must be infection-free.
- Injections/Vaccinations – Certain injections and vaccinations require a wait before donating. Please bring the name of the injection or vaccination and the date it was administered.
- Menstruation – Women can donate during their periods.
- Piercings – Ear or body piercing using single-use equipment in an approved setting is acceptable.
- Pregnancy – Women who are pregnant should not donate. Please wait to donate until 6 weeks after giving birth. Women who are breast-feeding are eligible to donate.
- Tattoos – In February 2005, our policy toward tattoos changed. Now, if your tattoo was applied by a licensed facility in Wisconsin, you can donate blood. If your tattoo was applied by an unlicensed facility or a facility outside Wisconsin, we require a 12-month waiting period from the time the tattoo was applied.
- Travel – If you have traveled to a malarious area, you may not donate until 12 months after your return. If you have ever had malaria, you must be symptom-free for 3 years. For a map of malarious areas, please see the CDC website.
- Cancer – Certain cancers require a five year wait after treatments. Please be prepared to discuss your specific type of cancer with a Donor Specialist.
BloodCenter of Wisconsin performs all blood donations using sterile, disposable equipment throughout the donation process. You cannot get AIDS or any other disease by donating blood.
Biggest Eligibility Myths
Myth: "I am taking medication so I can't donate."
Fact: Most medications do not impact your ability to give blood. Persons on a variety of medications can safely donate. Click here for a list of unacceptable medications and an explanation as to why they are unacceptable.
Myth: "Once I tried to give blood but my blood count was too low. That means I can't ever give blood."
Fact: Just because your blood count was a little low at one point in time does not necessarily mean that you are chronically anemic and cannot give blood. A simple blood test will be performed at the time of your donation to determine if you can donate.
Myth: "I gave blood six months ago so I'm not eligible to give again for a while."
Fact: Donors can donate whole blood every 8 weeks; platelets every 3 days (not more than twice a week or 24 times a year); plasma every 4 weeks; or a double red cell unit every 16 weeks.
Find a Donation Location Near You
By donating blood you truly are helping to save other people’s lives.
Click here to find a Donor Center or blood drive near you.
