General Donor Information:
To determine if you are eligible to donate blood we will:
- Ask to see a valid form of photo ID to confirm your identity and age.
- if you are under the age of 17, you must have signed CBB Parental Consent Form.
- Ask questions about health, travel and medications.
- Ask if you weigh at least 110 pounds.
- Ask questions to see if you might be at risk for hepatitis, HIV, or AIDS.
- Take your blood pressure, temperature and pulse.
- Take a small blood sample to make sure you are not anemic.
In addition to a valid photo ID, we recommend bringing a list of current medications with you when you come to donate. Upon signing in, you will be given a donor history card to complete prior to being taken back to the screening area.
For more information, please read these educational materials, or call us toll free at 1-877-842-0631.
Common Deferrals:
If you have gotten a tattoo or body piercing within a past 3 months, you will not be eligible to donate. There is a 3-month deferral period for tattoos/piercings.
One of the more common reasons for deferral is a low iron count. The iron deferral time frame is 2 weeks. For more information on low iron deferrals and how to avoid them, please see our Low Iron Information Sheet.
There is no deferral period after receiving the flu vaccine. Donors are permitted to donate so long as the blood donor feels well and does not have a fever.
Certain medications and travel destinations can also cause a donor to be deferred. For more information or to ask about a specific medication or travel destination, please call the blood bank toll free at 1-877-842-0631 prior to donating.