red cross blood journey stages

Journey of Blood

Follow the lifesaving journey - from a blood center's engagement in their community to the tranfusion of a donation.

Blood centers continuously work with community partners and individual donors to increase awareness about the need for blood, host blood drives, and, ensure a diverse donor base to guarantee the need for various blood types and blood products is being met.

Community and Donor Engagement

The blood supply is unique within the healthcare system. It cannot be manufactured and relies on voluntary donations.

Highly-trained professionals guide donors through the entire blood donation experience, prioritizing their comfort and safety. Each donor is asked a series of eligibility questions to ensure they are able to donate followed by the actual donation experience. Whole blood donations take around 10 minutes, while platelets, double red cells or plasma by apheresis can take as little as 45 minutes.

Approximately 7 million blood donors walk through blood center doors annually.

These centers operate sophisticated laboratories that process and test every donation, which are typically available for patients in need within 24-48 hours after collection. More than 12 tests are performed to identify the blood type and make sure the blood is safe for transfusion. As a result, the blood supply is safer today than ever before.

Testing and Processing

All blood centers are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (in the U.S.) and Health Canada (in Canada.

After processing, red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days, plasma can be frozen and stored for up to 12 months, and platelets must be used within 5 days. There must always be enough blood, that has been tested and stored, ready for use to meet any need, including both man-made and natural disasters. Blood centers work with federal agencies and state and local public health agencies to prepare for such incidences.

Storage of blood components is highly controlled under Current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMPs).

Blood centers operate 24-hours a day, 7-day a week, 365-days a year to deliver blood wherever and whenever it is needed, including in-patient and outpatient hospital settings, both traditional and air ambulances, long-term care settings. In total, ABC members serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America, accounting for 60 percent of the U.S. blood supply and 25% of Canada’s.

Distribution

Because the need for blood never stops, blood centers operate sophisticated information technology systems to constantly monitor and respond to their local blood needs.

Some of the most frequent uses of blood include traumas, surgeries, child birth, anemia, blood disorders, and cancer treatments.

Transfusion

As a result of the work of donors and blood centers, 11 million blood transfusions take place every year for patients suffering from a wide variety of conditions.

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Eligibility Criteria Alphabetical Listing

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Eligibility Criteria: Alphabetical

Select the title or plus symbol below to view content. You may also search eligibility topics by keyword.

Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable.

You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent , if allowed by state law. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities.

In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation

Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood. (Each state determines its own age of majority, which can be different for different activities.)

Persons under the age of 17 may, however, donate blood for their own use, in advance of scheduled surgery or in situations where their blood has special medical value for a particular patient such as a family member.

Acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever, and have no problems breathing through your mouth.

A donor with an acute infection can not donate. The reason for antibiotic use must be evaluated to determine if the donor has a bacterial infection that could be transmissible by blood.

Acceptable after finishing oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Can have taken last pill on the date of donation. Antibiotic by injection for an infection acceptable 10 days after last injection. Acceptable if you are taking antibiotics to prevent an infection for the following reasons: acne, chronic prostatitis, peptic ulcer disease, periodontal disease, pre-dental work, rosacea, ulcerative colitis, after a splenectomy or valvular heart disease. If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you can not donate.

Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday.

Acceptable as long as you do not have any limitations on daily activities and are not having difficulty breathing at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. Medications for asthma do not disqualify you from donating.

Individuals on oral contraceptives or using other forms of birth control are eligible to donate.

If you have a history of bleeding problems, you will be asked additional questions. If your blood does not clot normally, you can not donate since you may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed. For the same reason, do not donate if you are taking any "blood thinner" such as:

Atrixa (fondaparinux)

Coumadin (warfarin)

Eliquis (apixaban)

Fragmin (dalteparin)

Jantoven (warfarin)

Lovenox (enoxaparin)

Pradaxa (dabigatran)

Savaysa (edoxaban)

Warfilone (warfarin)

Xarelto (rivaroxaban).

If you are on aspirin, it is OK to donate whole blood. However, you must be off of aspirin for at least 2 full days in order to donate platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday. Donors with clotting disorder from Factor V who are not on anticoagulants are eligible to donate; however, all others must be evaluated by the health historian at the collection center.

Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.

Learn more about Blood Pressure

Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate, and your blood pressure is at least 90/50 (systolic/diastolic).

Wait for 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person.

Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been more than 12 months since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed and healed do not require a 12-month waiting period.

Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Unable to Give Blood? Consider  volunteering  or  hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross . You can also help people facing emergencies by making a financial donation  to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.

Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as you feel well, the condition is under control, and you meet all other eligibility requirements.

Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm). Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation. Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection.

• If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant you are not eligible to donate.
• If you received an injection of cadaveric pituitary human growth hormone (hGH) you cannot donate. Human cadaveric pituitary-derived hGH was available in the U.S. from 1958 to 1985.  Growth hormone received after 1985 is acceptable. 
• If you have been diagnosed with vCJD, CJD or any other TSE or have a blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD (e.g., fCJD, GSS, or FFI) you cannot donate.

Learn more about CJD .

Acceptable after dental procedures as long as there is no infection present. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection. Wait for 3 days after having oral surgery.

Diabetics who are well controlled on insulin or oral medications are eligible to donate.

Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations.

Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations.

Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations.

On Aug. 7, 2023, the American Red Cross implemented the FDA’s updated  final guidance  regarding an individual donor assessment for all blood donors regardless of gender or sexual orientation. This change eliminated previous FDA eligibility criteria based on sexual orientation, which restricted sexually active gay and bisexual men from giving blood.

Individuals who have been deferred for MSM in the past can initiate donor reinstatement by contacting the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. Individuals with questions about their donation eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.

For the purposes of blood donation gender is self-identified and self-reported, which is relevant to the transgender community.

More information about the FDA policy is available for LGBTQ+ donors.

Unable to Give Blood? Consider  volunteering  or  hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross . You can also help people facing emergencies by  making a financial donation  to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.

You are not eligible to donate if you have ever had Ebola virus infection or disease.

Unable to Give Blood?

Consider volunteering ,  or hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross . You can also help people facing emergencies by making a financial donation  to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.

In general, acceptable as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, have no current (within the last 6 months) heart related symptoms such as chest pain and have no limitations or restrictions on your normal daily activities.

Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.

Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.

Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Wait at least 6 months after a change in your heart condition that resulted in a change to your medications.

If you have a pacemaker, you can donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute and you meet the other heart disease criteria. Discuss your particular situation with your personal healthcare provider and the health historian at the time of donation.

Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated and have not had symptoms in the last 6 months and have no restrictions on your normal daily activities.

Acceptable if you meet all eligibility criteria and donation intervals.

In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL. For all donors, the hemoglobin level can be no greater than 20 g/dL. Separate requirements for hemoglobin level apply for Power Red.

When you come to donate blood at the American Red Cross, we measure your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin because the results provide information about your current health at the time of your donation.  The Red Cross does not diagnose medical conditions or offer treatment.

Physical exam results vary throughout the day.  Stress, nutrition, illness, hydration, weight, activity, environment and even consumption of certain ingredients (for example, salt or caffeine) can affect the results of the physical exam.  If your result does not meet the minimum/maximum requirement at the time of your attempted donation you will not be permitted to donate. 

If you have signs or symptoms of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus, or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), you are not eligible to donate blood.

If you ever tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection.

If you live with or have had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis, you must wait 3 months after the last contact.

Persons who have been detained or incarcerated in a facility (juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison) for 72 hours or more consecutively (3 days) are deferred for 12 months from the date of last occurrence. This includes work release programs and weekend incarceration. These persons are at higher risk for exposure to infectious diseases. 

Wait 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion (unless it was your own "autologous" blood), non-sterile needle stick or exposure to someone else's blood.  

Consider  volunteering  or  hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross . You can also help people facing emergencies by making a financial donation  to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.

You are not eligible to donate if you have ever had Hidradenitis suppurativa.

Consider volunteering or hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross . You can also help people facing emergencies by making a financial donation to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills .

Do not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive test for HIV infection, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.

You are at risk for getting infected if in the past 3 months you:

• have used needles to inject drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor 
• have had sexual contact with a new partner and have had anal sex. A “new” sexual partner is defined as having sex with someone for the first time OR having had sex with someone in a relationship that ended in the past, and having sex again with that person in the last 3 months.
• have had sexual contact with more than one partner and have had anal sex
• have received money, drugs or other payment for sex
• have had sexual contact with anyone who has ever had a positive test for HIV infection
• have had sexual contact with anyone who, has received money, drugs, or other payment for sex, or used needles to inject drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by their doctor

Do not give blood if you have any of the following conditions that can be signs or symptoms of HIV infection

• Enlarged lymph glands
• Sore throat

Do not give blood if you have ever taken any medication to treat HIV infection also known as antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Wait 3 months after the last dose of any oral medications taken to prevent HIV infection [also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)]- Truvada (emtricitabine and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide), Tivicay (dolutegravir) and  Isentress (raltegravir) are oral medications given for exposure to HIV.

Wait 2 years after the last injection or shot of medication taken to prevent HIV infection also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)- Apretude (cabotegravir ) are injections or shots given for exposure to HIV.

Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis are eligible to donate.

See "Blood Pressure, High" section above.

Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza,RSV,  pneumonia, tetanus or meningitis, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. Includes the Tdap vaccine. Acceptable if you received an HPV Vaccine (example, Gardasil).

Acceptable if you were vaccinated with SHINGRIX (shingles vaccine) providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. SHINGRIX vaccine is administered in 2 doses (shots). The second shot is administered 2-6 months after the first shot. This distinguishes it from Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine, which is given as a single dose (shot) and requires a 4-week deferral.

Wait 4 weeks after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Chicken Pox and Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine.

Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine.

Wait 21 days after immunization for hepatitis B as long as you are not given the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B.  

• Acceptable if you were vaccinated with a non-replicating, inactivated, or RNA-based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer providing you are symptom-free and fever-free.
• Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine.
• Wait 2 weeks if you were vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine but do not know if it was a non-replicating, inactivated, RNA based vaccine or a live attenuated vaccine.
• Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccination and did not develop complications  Wait 8 weeks (56 days) after receiving the vaccination to donate blood as long as you have no complications. Complications can include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination. 
• Smallpox/Monkeypox vaccination and developed complications  Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having had the smallpox vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications can include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination. 
• If you received this vaccine after an exposure to Monkeypox, you cannot donate for 21 days after your last exposure.
• If there is no exposure to monkeypox and you received this vaccine, there is no deferral. 
• Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any skin lesions or other symptoms. Eligible to donate.
• Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since developed skin lesions or symptoms.  Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of the first skin lesion or sore. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications can include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.

If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection has resolved completely before donating blood.

Wait until finished taking oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Wait 10 days after the last antibiotic injection for an infection.

Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or Leishmaniasis are not eligible to donate.

Those who have had infection with Babesiosis can donate if it has been 2 years or more since the diagnosis or positive test if donating in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin or Washington, D.C.  IF you plan to donate in any other state, call 1-800-RED CROSS for more information.

See: Antibiotics, Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis/Gonorrhea, and Tuberculosis.

Donors with diabetes who take any kind if insulin are eligible to donate as long as their diabetes is well controlled.

Wait 3 months after using needles to inject drugs that were not prescribed by a physician. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis and HIV.

See: Hepatitis.

Malaria is transmitted by mosquito bite in certain countries and may be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion. As such the FDA requires the Red Cross and other blood collection organizations to ask individuals to disclose during the donation process if they have traveled to or lived in malaria-countries or if they have had malaria.

The FDA does not currently require blood collectors to test blood donations for malaria. However, in March 2024 the FDA approved the first test of its kind with the ability to screen blood donations for malaria. It’s important to know that the Red Cross is committed to ensuring the safety of the blood supply and is currently working with our industry partners and the FDA to evaluate current eligibility guidance regarding malaria and the newly approved test as well as other possible tests awaiting approval. 

If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood.

• Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria.
• Wait 3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found.
• Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. An additional waiting period of 3 years is required if you have traveled to an area where malaria is found if you have not lived a consecutive 3 years in a country or countries where malaria is not found.

If you have traveled outside of the United States and Canada, your travel destinations will be reviewed at the time of donation.

Please, come prepared to discuss your travel details when you donate. You can download the travel form and bring it with you to help in the assessment of your travel. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel.

If, in the past 3 years, you have been outside the United States or Canada:

• What countries did you visit?
• Where did you travel while in this country?
• Did you leave the city or resort at any time? If yes, where did you go?
• What mode of transportation did you use?
• How long did you stay?
• What date did you return to the U.S.?

Acceptable if you are healthy and well and have been vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks ago or were born before 1956. If you have not been vaccinated or it has been less than 4 weeks since being vaccinated, wait 4 weeks from the date of the vaccination or exposure before donating.

In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted.

Over-the-counter oral homeopathic medications, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements are acceptable.

There are a handful of drugs that are of special significance in blood donation. Persons on these drugs have waiting periods following their last dose before they can donate blood:

• Accutane, Amnesteem, Absorica, Claravis, Myorisan, Sotret or Zenatane (isotretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 1 month from the last dose.
• Avodart or Jalyn (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
• Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis.  For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday.
• Effient (prasugrel) and Brilinta (ticagrelor) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 7 days after taking Brilinta (ticagrelor) before donating platelets by apheresis. You must wait 3 days after taking Effient (prasugrel) before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Feldene (piroxicam), no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 days after taking Feldene (piroxicam) before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Coumadin, Warfilone, Jantoven (warfarin) and Heparin, are prescription blood thinners- Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate.
• Arixtra (fondaparinux), Fragmin (dalteparin), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran),Savaysa (edoxaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban),and Lovenox (enoxaparin) are also prescription blood thinners- Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with these blood thinners, wait 2 days before returning to donate.
• Other prescription blood thinners not listed, call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your individual situation.
• Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 3 months after exposure to hepatitis.
• Oral HIV Prevention (PrEP and PEP) medications - Truvada (emtricitabine and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), Descovy (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide), Tivicay (dolutegravir) and Isentress (raltegravir) are given for exposure to HIV, you must wait 3 months after the last dose of medication to donate.
• Injectable HIV Prevention (PrEP and PEP) medications – Apretude (cabotegravir ) are shots given for exposure to HIV, you must wait 2 years after the last dose of medication to donate.
• HIV treatment also known as antiretroviral therapy (ART) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
• Plavix (clopidogrel) and Ticlid (ticlopidine) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However you must wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Zontivity (vorapaxar) – no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 1 month after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis
• Rinvoq (upadacitinib) – wait 1 month
• Thalomid (thalidomide) – wait 1 month
• Revlimid (lenalidomide) – wait 1 month
• Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) – an immunosuppressant– wait 6 weeks
• Soriatane (acitretin) – wait 3 years
• Tegison (etretinate) at any time – you are not eligible to donate blood
• Arava (leflunomide), Erivedge (vismodegib) and Odomzo (sonidegib)– wait 2 years.
• Aubagio (teriflunomide) – wait 2 years.

Unable to Give Blood? Consider  volunteering  or  hosting a blood drive through the Red Cross . You can also help people facing emergencies by  making a financial donation  to support the Red Cross’s greatest needs. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills.

Monkeypox infection or exposure, wait a minimum of 21 days, then contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276  to discuss your particular situation to determine if you can donate.

Wait 3 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person. If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant, you are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD).

Learn more about CJD and blood donation.

If you ever received a transplant of animal organs or of living animal tissue - you are not eligible to donate blood.   Non-living animal tissues such as bone, tendon, or heart valves are acceptable.

Acceptable as long as the instruments used were single-use equipment and disposable (which means both the gun and the earring cassette were disposable). Wait 3 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument.

Wait 3 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were single-use equipment. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.

Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Wait 6 weeks after giving birth.

Acceptable as long as your pulse is no more than 100 and no less than 50.  A pulse that is regular and less than 50 will require evaluation by the regional American Red Cross physician.

Wait 3 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Acceptable if it has been more than 3 months since you completed treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea. However, syphilis antibodies persist for long periods of time following treatment and resolution of past infection and the confirmatory test typically remains positive for life following treated infection.

Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.

Platelet and plasma donation are acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. Recent research has shown that sickle cell trait-positive whole blood and Power Red donations do not adequately pass a quality control step due to a filter limitation during processing. As a result, donors who test positive for sickle cell trait after August  7 – and current donors whose donations do not adequately pass the red blood cell filter process – are restricted from giving a whole blood or Power Red donations. It’s important to note that this is an industry-wide filter limitation and not a donor issue.

Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate. Learn how blood donations help those affected by Sickle Cell Disease

Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. If the skin disease has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. Taking antibiotics to control acne does not disqualify you from donating.

It is not necessarily surgery but the underlying condition that precipitated the surgery that requires evaluation before donation. Evaluation is on a case by case basis. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Wait 3 months after being treated for syphilis or gonorrhea. However, syphilis antibodies persist for long periods of time following treatment and resolution of past infection and the confirmatory test typically remains positive for life following treated infection.

Wait 3 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. 

  Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and single-use ink. Cosmetic tattoos (including microblading of eyebrows only) applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and single-use ink is acceptable. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

You can be exposed to malaria through travel and travel in some areas can sometimes defer donors. If you have traveled outside of the United States and Canada, your travel destinations will be reviewed at the time of donation.

Come prepared to your donation process with your travel details when you donate. You can download the  travel form and bring it with you to help in the assessment of your travel. You can call 866-236-3276 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your travel.

 If, in the past 3 years, you have been outside the United States or Canada:

•  What countries did you visit?

The FDA does not currently require blood collectors to test blood donations for malaria. However, in March 2024 the FDA approved the first test of its kind with the ability to screen blood donations for malaria. It’s important to know that the Red Cross is committed to ensuring the safety of the blood supply and is currently working with our industry partners and the FDA to evaluate current eligibility guidance regarding malaria and the newly approved test as well as other possible tests awaiting approval.

If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood

• Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. An additional waiting period of 3 years is required if you have traveled to an area where malaria is found if you have not lived a consecutive 3 years in a country or countries where malaria is not found 

If you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for active tuberculosis you can not donate. Acceptable if you have a positive skin test or blood test, but no active tuberculosis and are NOT taking antibiotics. If you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test or blood test only or if you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating.

Wait 3 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea. However, syphilis antibodies persist for long periods of time following treatment and resolution of past infection and the confirmatory test typically remains positive for life following treated infection.

You must weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Students who donate at high school drives and donors 18 years of age or younger must also meet additional height and weight requirements for whole blood donation (applies to girls shorter than 5'3" and boys shorter than 5').

Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using. Discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.

If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, wait more than 120 days after your symptoms resolve to donate.

Building The 1st Blood Donor App with the Red Cross

Revolutionising the blood donation process and making a nation roll up their sleeves with The American Red Cross.

Million+ Downloads

Million in Blood Donations

Appointments Booked Monthly

The Challenge?

With blood banks running low and donations continuing to drop-off across the US, The American Red Cross reached out to 3 SIDED CUBE in an effort to combat the barriers that potential and existing donors were facing. American blood supplies can run out in just four months without donations, so the need to change the decline in blood donations was critical.

The Solution.

An innovative blood donor app which encourages, engages and motivates potential and existing donors. The platform needed to make the donation process more convenient and the experience more rewarding.

We developed a revolutionary mobile app that has won several international awards including a Webby for Best Health App for the Red Cross. We all had a mini fist pump moment when Blood Donor topped the one million downloads mark . 

The blood app that has saved lives, changed the industry, but more importantly, helped to bring in over $90 million in revenue for the charity and save thousands of lives. Donors can actually track their blood and see the hospital that it ends up at and when it has arrived. Being able to obtain this level of detail is amazing and can really encourage donors to keep going as they can appreciate the lives it is going to save – providing a reminder that ordinary people do extraordinary things when they give blood.

Due to the global pandemic, at each and every appointment, a COVID test was introduced alongside the blood appointment. This became an invaluable feature as the results could be accessed exclusively by the user within the app.

In the 8 years, we have had the privilege of not only working with but building a strong relationship with the American Red Cross. We’ve helped more of the American Red Cross’s apps like their emergency preparedness platform app .

WHAT DOES THE RED CROSS BLOOD DONOR APP DO?

Streamlining the Appointment Process

Find your nearest blood drive. Arrange, reschedule and cancel appointments with the click of a button. Gone are the days of awkward phone calls with strangers and filling out endless forms. This functionality allows revolutionary efficiency at your fingertips.

Rewarding Donations & Friendship Teams

The Red Cross App allows you to earn badges and share your achievements with friends and family. Challenge your donation team to see who can save the most lives. There are even rewards the user can garner with the donation of specific blood types!

Emergency Blood Shortage Alerts

Save lives in your community. Geo-targeted blood alerts let donors know if their blood type is needed within their community.

Track Your Blood

Donors can track their blood all the way to the hospital it’s being used in. And be alerted when their blood is used to save a life.

Winner App Of The Year at the Webby Awards.

The American Red Cross Blood app was awarded app of the year at the 2016 Webby awards , check out Duncan’s five-word acceptance speech:

Putting the power to save lives in the palm of your hand.

Our team flew out to New Jersey to run a mobile app development rapid-prototyping workshop with actual users and embed ourselves in the process. This helped us to test a slick suite of features with a simple user flow. We knew that key to success was instilling in the app an emotional attachment and a journey for users, keeping them engaged by giving them a sense of accomplishment. Once our team discovered that donated blood in the US was tracked, we knew the solution was simple, even if it had never been done before. To maintain engagement, donors needed to be rewarded and to be shown the stages and results of their donations.

One pint of donated blood can help save up to three lives! Get out there and be a blood hero too!

Fighting Disasters With The Emergency Preparedness Platform

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross approached 3 Sided Cube with the idea of a platform that allowed users to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. Read more

Nature Conservation From the Comfort of Your Own Garden

In a new move to bring nature conservation into the homes of their supporters, the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Giving Nature A Home app is changing the way users support the charity and their cause. Read more

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Red Cross Declares First-ever Blood Crisis amid Omicron Surge

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Dire blood shortage forces doctors to delay critical blood transfusions for people in need Red Cross and NFL team up to offer those who come to give a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVI

The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Amid this crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.

“While some types of medical care can wait, others can’t,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. “Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and individuals who are seriously ill who all need blood transfusions to live even as Omicron cases surge across the country. We’re doing everything we can to increase blood donations to ensure every patient can receive medical treatments without delay, but we cannot do it without more donors. We need the help of the American people.”

The Red Cross asks the country to roll up a sleeve to help ensure people receive the care they need. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

The Red Cross has experienced a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood since the beginning of the pandemic and continues to confront relentless issues due to the pandemic, including ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. Adding to the concern is the surge of COVID-19 cases. The Red Cross has experienced low donor turnout ever since the delta variant began spreading in August, and that trend continues as the Omicron variant takes over.

All types are needed now, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, to help reverse this national blood crisis. If there is not an immediate opportunity available to donate, donors are asked to make an appointment in the days and weeks ahead to ensure the Red Cross can replenish and maintain a sufficient blood supply.

Blood Donation Challenges Supplying 40% of the nation’s blood, the Red Cross has had to limit blood distributions to hospitals in recent weeks. In fact, on certain days, some hospitals may not receive as much as one-quarter of the blood products requested. Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors.

All of this comes as January marks National Blood Donor Month, a time to raise awareness about the need for blood donations when regular seasonal illnesses like colds and the flu, as well as winter weather often leads to a decline in donations.

“Every community in America needs blood on a daily basis. At a time when many businesses and organizations across the country are experiencing pandemic challenges – the Red Cross is no different. And while we are all learning how to live in this new environment, how we spend our time, where we work, how we give back, how we make a difference in the lives of others – donating blood must continue to be part of it,” added Dr. Young.

The Red Cross appreciates the patience of blood donors and blood drive hosts. As the nation faces the latest challenges of this pandemic environment, there may not be an immediate appointment available or an individual may be asked to reschedule an appointment — but the Red Cross still needs donors. The Red Cross is grateful for donors’ understanding as the organization works tirelessly to meet the needs of patients.

The Personal Impact of Blood Shortages Kristen Mill of Spring Grove, Illinois, suffers from ongoing health problems caused by a tick bite in 2008. Her body doesn’t produce enough hemoglobin to carry oxygen in her blood, and when her hemoglobin levels drop, blood transfusions are essential for her to survive. She has needed weekly transfusions to treat this condition for much of the summer and fall of 2021.

On a recent visit to the hospital for a transfusion, she was told the hospital had no blood that matched her blood type and she would have to wait until the right match became available.

“The hospital came to me and they apologized, and they said, ‘We’re so sorry, our blood bank is depleted to the point where we don’t have anyone that matches with you,’” said Kristen. “It’s very scary, especially if you don’t know if the blood is coming, because this is something that you need to live.”

Unfortunately, Kristen has had to wait for blood on multiple occasions in recent weeks. “It has become quite common that I would have to wait two or three days for blood. Then my condition would get worse, and I’d need to be hospitalized while waiting for blood. It usually took two days, sometimes three days, which is a long time when you are waiting for something that could save your life,” said Kristen.

Kristen worries that the next time she needs blood, it may not arrive in time to keep her alive. After seeing firsthand what a blood shortage means, she has become an advocate for blood donation.

“I don’t want this to happen to other people,” Kristen said. “There is nothing greater you can give someone than the gift of life. To have people donating lifesaving blood is just incredible and essential.”

Special Thank You to Those Who Come to Give The Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to kick off 2022 with a blood or platelet donation. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to donate will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.

Blood Drive Volunteers Needed In addition to blood donors, the Red Cross also needs the help of volunteers to support critical blood collections across the country. Blood drive volunteers play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists – another volunteer opportunity – provide a critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood to hospitals in communities across the country. To volunteer to support Red Cross blood collections, please visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

COVID-19 Safety Protocols Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control. Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are still eligible to donate blood and platelets. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they receive is important in determining blood donation eligibility.

About Blood Donation A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood . High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org , or follow us on social media.

Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.

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The Journey of a Red Blood Cell

6 October 2017

Red Blood Cells (also known as Erythrocytes), are cellular components of blood. There are millions of them within the human body and their sole purpose is to carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body, as well as carrying carbon dioxide to the lungs so it can be exhaled. The blood cell is characterised by a red colour due to the presence of hemoglobin, which is a protein that helps bind oxygen to the cell. 

The red blood cell goes through a complex journey through the body, going from a deoxygenated blood cell to an oxygenated blood cell, and entering the heart twice. Below, we’ve laid out the journey of a red blood cell in the human body:

Step 1 - Creation of the Red Blood Cell

The journey starts with the red cell being created inside the bone. In the bone marrow, it develops in several stages starting as a hemocytoblast, then becoming an erythroblast after 2 to 5 days of development. After filling with hemoglobin it becomes a reticulocyte, which then becomes a fully matured red blood cell. This will be of a specific blood type, determined by the presence or absence of certain antibodies - learn more about blood grouping products here.

Step 2 - The Red Blood Cell's Journey begins

After creation, the red blood cell starts travelling to the heart via capillaries. The blood cell is currently deoxygenated.

Step 3 - Entering the Heart

The deoxygenated red blood cell now makes its way to the vena cava within the heart, and is then pushed into the right atrium.

The right atrium then contracts, pushing the blood cell through the tricuspid into the right ventricle.

The right ventricle then contracts, pushing the red blood cell out of the heart through the semi lunar.

Step 4 - Entering the Lungs and Oxygenation

After leaving the heart, the red blood cell travels through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. There it picks up oxygen making the deoxygenated red blood cell now an oxygenated blood cell. The blood cell then makes it way back to the heart via the pulmonary vein into the left atrium.

Step 5 - Re-entering the heart

After entering the left atrium, which then contracts and pushes the blood cell through the bicuspid, the red blood cell then enters the left ventricle.

The left ventricle then contracts, pushing the red blood cell through the semi lunar, and out of the heart into the aorta.

Step 6 - Travelling around the body

Travelling through the aorta, the red blood cell goes into the kidneys trunk and other lower limbs, delivering oxygenated blood around the body. They typically last for 120 days before they die.

And that’s the whole process! Although this seems like a lengthy process, the whole thing takes less than a minute from start to finish, depending on the individual’s heart rate.

In some cases such as illnesses or blood loss following injury or childbirth, the body may have too few red blood cells to provide the oxygen required by the body's extremities. This is where a blood transfusion becomes vital.  At Lorne Laboratories all our blood grouping reagents and  red cell  products comply with the UK Red Book Standards to ensure safe blood transfusions.

Got questions about our products and how they impact the journey of the red blood cell? Email our team at Lorne Labs HQ  and we'll be happy to assist you. 

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