Donating blood is a selfless act that can save lives. However, you might be wondering if it’s possible to donate blood for compensation and what conditions might affect your eligibility. This guide provides detailed information on blood donation eligibility based on various health conditions, helping you understand if you can donate and potentially where you might receive compensation for your donation.
Understanding Blood Donation and Compensation
While the primary motivation for blood donation is altruism, it’s true that some centers offer compensation for certain types of blood donations, particularly plasma. The facilities that typically pay donors are plasma centers, not traditional blood donation centers like the Red Cross, which usually focus on volunteer donations of whole blood and blood components.
It’s important to understand that the eligibility criteria for donating blood are in place to protect both the donor and the recipient. These guidelines are set by health organizations to ensure the safety and quality of the blood supply. Whether you are donating for altruistic reasons or seeking compensation, these eligibility rules apply.
The following sections outline common health conditions and how they may impact your ability to donate blood, based on established guidelines.
Medical Conditions and Blood Donation Eligibility
Allergies
If you have allergies, you can generally donate blood as long as you feel well on the day of donation. You should not have a fever or be experiencing difficulty breathing through your mouth. Feeling healthy and symptom-free is key.
Asthma
Individuals with asthma are often eligible to donate blood. As long as your asthma is well-managed, you are not experiencing breathing difficulties at the time of donation, and your daily activities are not limited by your condition, you can likely donate. Importantly, asthma medications do not disqualify you from donating blood.
Bleeding Conditions
A history of bleeding problems will require further evaluation. If your blood does not clot normally, you will not be able to donate blood. This is because the needle insertion site could lead to excessive bleeding. Similarly, you should not donate if you are taking blood-thinning medications such as:
- Atrixa (fondaparinux)
- Coumadin (warfarin)
- Eliquis (apixaban)
- Fragmin (dalteparin)
- Heparin
- Jantoven (warfarin)
- Lovenox (enoxaparin)
- Pradaxa (dabigatran)
- Savaysa (edoxaban)
- Warfilone (warfarin)
- Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
Understanding blood donation eligibility is crucial before attempting to donate.
However, if you are taking aspirin, you may still be eligible to donate leukopaks or whole blood through specialized programs. Donors with clotting disorders like Factor V Leiden who are not on anticoagulants may be eligible, but it’s essential to consult with the health historian at the donation center for assessment.
Blood Pressure (High or Low)
High Blood Pressure: You can donate blood if your blood pressure is 180/100 mmHg or below at the time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not prevent you from donating.
Low Blood Pressure: Low blood pressure is acceptable for donation as long as you feel well and your blood pressure is at least 90/50 mmHg.
Pulse (High or Low)
Your pulse rate must be between 50 and 100 beats per minute to be eligible for blood donation.
When you donate blood, your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin levels are checked. These measurements help assess your current health at the time of donation. It’s important to note that donation centers like the American Red Cross do not diagnose medical conditions or provide treatment based on these checks.
Physical exam results can fluctuate due to various factors like stress, diet, hydration, illness, and even caffeine or salt intake. If your results fall outside the acceptable range during your donation attempt, you will be temporarily deferred from donating.
Cancer
Eligibility for blood donation after cancer depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you have had leukemia, lymphoma, or other blood cancers, you are not eligible to donate. For other cancers, you may be eligible if treatment was successful and completed more than 12 months ago without recurrence.
Lower-risk in-situ cancers, such as basal or squamous cell skin cancers that have been completely removed and healed, do not require a 12-month waiting period. Precancerous conditions of the cervix, if successfully treated, also do not disqualify you from donating. It’s always best to discuss your specific cancer history with the health historian at the donation center.
Chronic Illnesses
Most chronic illnesses do not prevent you from donating blood, provided you feel well, your condition is well-managed, and you meet all other eligibility criteria.
CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease)
You are not eligible to donate blood if you have:
- Received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant from an animal or another person.
- Received injections of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone (hGH) (available in the U.S. from 1958 to 1985). Growth hormone received after 1985 is acceptable.
- Been diagnosed with vCJD, CJD, or any other TSE.
- A blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD (e.g., fCJD, GSS, or FFI).
Diabetes
Individuals with diabetes who manage their condition well with insulin or oral medications are eligible to donate blood.
Heart Disease
Generally, people with heart disease can donate blood if their condition is stable and managed. You are likely eligible if, within the last 6 months, you have:
- Been medically evaluated and treated for your heart condition.
- Had no new heart-related diagnoses or symptoms like chest pain.
- Not started any new treatment or had surgery for your heart condition.
- No limitations on your daily activities due to your heart condition.
However, certain waiting periods apply after specific heart-related events:
- Angina episode: Wait at least 6 months.
- Heart attack: Wait at least 6 months.
- Bypass surgery or angioplasty: Wait at least 6 months.
- Change in heart condition requiring medication adjustment: Wait at least 6 months.
If you have a pacemaker and meet other heart disease criteria, and your pulse is between 50 and 100 bpm, you can donate.
Certain heart conditions will disqualify you from donation, including: Aneurysm, Angiogram, Aortic insufficiency, Aortic Regurgitation, Aortic stenosis, AV malformation, Bicuspid aortic valve-not repaired, Bundle branch block right or left, Cardiomyopathy, Cardiac myxoma, Carotid endarterectomy, Congestive heart failure, Floppy mitral valve, Internal automatic defibrillator, Mitral insufficiency, Mitral regurgitation, Mitral valve prolapse, Polyarteritis nodosa, Pulmonary edema, Tetralogy of Fallot, or Wolff Parkinson White. Consult your healthcare provider and the donation center’s health historian if you have heart concerns.
Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder
You can donate blood if you have a heart murmur or heart valve disorder, provided you have been medically evaluated and treated, have not experienced symptoms in the last 6 months, and have no restrictions on your normal daily activities.
Hemochromatosis
Individuals with hemochromatosis are not eligible to donate in Leukopak/Specialized Donor Programs.
Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count
Adequate hemoglobin levels are essential for blood donation. Women must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and men must have at least 13.0 g/dL. For all donors, hemoglobin should not exceed 20 g/dL. These levels are checked before donation as part of the health assessment.
A blood test is a standard part of the donation process to check hemoglobin levels and overall health.
Hepatitis, Jaundice
You are not eligible to donate blood if you have signs or symptoms of viral hepatitis or unexplained jaundice. If you have ever tested positive for hepatitis B (after age 11) or hepatitis C at any age, you are permanently ineligible to donate, even if you were asymptomatic.
Hepatitis Exposure
Waiting periods apply if you have been exposed to hepatitis:
- Living with or sexual contact with a person with hepatitis: Wait 12 months after the last contact.
- Detention or incarceration for 72+ consecutive hours: Wait 12 months from the last occurrence due to higher risk of infectious disease exposure.
- Blood transfusion (unless autologous), non-sterile needle stick, or exposure to someone else’s blood: Wait 12 months.
HIV, AIDS
You must not donate blood if you have AIDS, have ever tested positive for HIV, or have engaged in activities that increase your risk of HIV infection. Risk factors include:
- Sexual contact with someone with HIV/AIDS or a positive HIV test in the past 12 months.
- Using needles to inject drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by a doctor in the last 5 years.
- Men who have had sexual contact with other men in the last 5 years.
- Exchanging money, drugs, or other payment for sex in the last 5 years.
- Sexual contact in the past 5 years with anyone in the above categories.
Do not donate if you have symptoms that could indicate HIV/AIDS, such as fever, enlarged lymph glands, sore throat, or rash.
Hypertension, High Blood Pressure
See “Blood Pressure (High)”.
Infections
If you have a fever or active infection, wait until it has completely resolved before donating blood. Wait until you have finished taking oral antibiotics for an infection. If you received antibiotic injections, wait 10 days after the last injection. Certain infections like Chagas Disease, Leishmaniasis, or Babesiosis permanently disqualify you from donation.
Lung Conditions – not requiring the use of oxygen
You can donate if you have lung conditions that do not require oxygen, as long as you have no new diagnoses, limitations on daily activities, symptoms, or breathing difficulties in the last 6 months. If you require oxygen, you are not eligible. Wait 6 months after any breathing difficulties, limitations, new diagnosis, symptoms, new treatments, or surgery related to your lung condition.
Monkeypox (exposure or diagnosis)
If you have a monkeypox infection or have been exposed to it, wait a minimum of 21 days before donating blood.
Malaria
Malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes in certain regions, can be passed through blood transfusion. There is no routine blood test for malaria in donations. Waiting periods are required if you have been in malaria-risk areas:
- Completed malaria treatment: Wait 3 years.
- Travel to a malaria-risk area: Wait 12 months after returning.
- Lived for more than 5 years in a malaria-risk country: Wait 3 years. An additional 3-year wait is required after traveling to a malaria-risk area if you haven’t lived consecutively for 3 years in a non-malaria-risk country.
Sickle Cell
Individuals with sickle cell trait are eligible to donate. However, those with sickle cell disease are not eligible.
Skin Disease, Rash, Acne
Skin conditions are generally acceptable for blood donation, as long as the skin at the intended needle insertion site is unaffected. If a skin disease is infected, wait until the infection clears. Acne and acne medications do not disqualify you from donating.
Tuberculosis
If you have active tuberculosis or are undergoing treatment for it, you cannot donate blood. If you have a positive TB skin or blood test but no active TB and are not taking antibiotics, you are eligible. If you are taking antibiotics for a positive TB test or are being treated for a TB infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating.
Measles Exposure
If you are healthy and have been vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks prior, you can donate blood. If you haven’t been vaccinated or it’s been less than 4 weeks since vaccination, wait 4 weeks from vaccination or exposure before donating.
Finding Paid Donation Opportunities
While traditional blood banks like the Red Cross rely on volunteer donations, if you are looking to donate for compensation, you should research plasma donation centers in your area. These centers often pay for plasma donations because plasma is used to create life-saving medications.
To find paid donation centers:
- Search Online: Use search engines to look for “plasma donation centers near me” or “paid plasma donation centers.”
- Check Center Websites: Reputable plasma donation centers will have websites detailing their donation process, compensation, and eligibility requirements.
- Contact Centers Directly: Call or visit centers to inquire about their compensation policies and confirm their specific eligibility criteria, as they may have additional guidelines beyond general blood donation rules.
Important Note: Always prioritize your health and safety. Ensure that any donation center you choose is reputable and follows strict health and safety protocols. The information in this guide is for general understanding and does not substitute for professional medical advice or the specific guidelines of donation centers. Always consult with healthcare professionals or donation center staff for personalized advice and eligibility assessments.
