If You're Not Eligible to Give Blood
If you were deferred, you can still make a difference. Most deferrals are temporary, and donors can plan their next donation right away. For extended or permanent deferrals, you can support the Red Cross mission in other ways.
Common Reasons for Deferrals
Low Hemoglobin / HematocritThe most common reason for a low hemoglobin, especially in women, is low iron stores (e.g., iron deficiency anemia). For their own safety, donors must have a certain level of hemoglobin (or hematocrit) to be able to donate. Hemoglobin levels vary daily, and you may return to donate the next day, provided your hemoglobin level is above the required threshold. |
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Cold, flu or other illness symptomsFor the safety of both donors and recipients, donors that do not feel well on the day of donation should not donate blood. Donors may return to donate 24 hours after all symptoms have cleared. |
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Temporary deferralsSome eligibility requirements, such as those related to some travel destinations or medications, may cause a temporary deferral for a period, such as three months or a year. |
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Permanent deferralsEligibility criteria, such as certain medical conditions, may prevent you from being able to donate blood in general. |
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