Specialized Donor Program

The Specialized Donor Program seeks healthy participants to give a variety of collections, including white blood cells, the part of your blood that helps fight infection and are called Leukopaks. Collected cells are used by Red Cross cell and gene therapy partners that are researching or producing therapies to treat diseases such as cancer or autoimmune conditions. Donors are compensated for their time and participation. We are working toward treatments together.

Individuals between the ages of 18-64, weigh at between 110 and 500 pounds, and are in general good health may be eligible to participate in the Specialized Donor Program.

Absolutely! Please feel free to share this information with anyone who meets the minimum eligibility requirements (between 18-64 years old and weigh between 110 and 500 lbs). Those interested may visit RedCrossBlood.org/CellTherapy or call 1-833-595-2214 to register for a prescreen appointment.

Simply complete the online form at RedCrossBlood.org/CellTherapy and we will contact you to set up the health screening appointment, also called a prescreen. To schedule sooner, you may also call 1-833-595-2214.

You will be compensated with a gift card at the time of your appointment, or a check will be mailed to your home following the appointment. Compensation is based on appointment type, up to $350 per collection appointment.

A health screening or prescreen appointment is the first step in the program.

This appointment is an in-person appointment with a Red Cross staff member who will ask a series of questions to determine if you meet the health requirements for participation. At your prescreen, samples of blood will be drawn for testing purposes. You will be compensated $50 for the prescreen appointment, which takes approximately 45 - 60 minutes.

If you qualify as an eligible candidate, your prescreen results will be valid for 90 days. If you are not contacted to give a collection within those 90 days, you may schedule another prescreen visit. You will be compensated $50 for each prescreen visit.

If your prescreen test results determine that you qualify as an eligible candidate for the program, you may be contacted to schedule an appointment to give a collection. The need for collections and the type of collections vary and are dependent on what our cell and gene therapy partners need at any given time.

When we contact you, we will let you know which type of collection is needed at that time, along with the length of the appointment and compensation amount.

The collection types are as follows:
 

• A Leukopak collection takes approximately 3 - 5 hours. Donors are compensated starting at $300. The collection involves the insertion of a needle into each arm, blood is removed from one arm into a machine that separates the cells; the white blood cells are collected into a bag and the remaining portions of blood are returned to the donor through the needle in the opposite arm.
• A Cell Therapy Blood (Whole Blood) collection or Leukocytes (Buffy Coat) collection takes approximately 1 – 2 hours. Donors are compensated starting at $200. The collection involves the insertion of a needle into one arm and blood is removed from one arm into a collection bag. After your collection is completed, the blood may be processed into a Leukocytes (Buffy Coat) collection using a centrifuge machine to separate the blood into just the white blood cells.

Our cell and gene therapy partners count on a reliable group of participants. We invite you to stay eligible and become a regular participant.

The waiting period is based on the appointment type and amount of time between appointments. For example, the waiting period between giving collections is at least 56 days following your most recent collection. However, eligibility is based on your appointment results and may be longer. Please call 1-833-595-2214 and a Red Cross team member can provide you more information.

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• Limit your fluid intake on the day of your appointment: Especially limit the intake of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea or soft drinks.
• Eat a healthy breakfast and/or lunch prior to your appointment. A healthy meal is important but avoid foods that are high in fat.
• Arrive at the collection center 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
• Bring valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license.
• Bring your Leukopak appointment reminder email to your appointment.

Leukopaks are a collection of mononuclear cells, a type of white blood cell made by your body. White blood cells help your body fight off infections and disease.

Scientists use mononuclear cells in research or production of therapies to treat diseases including cancer and autoimmune conditions.

If you are not contacted to give a collection before your 90-day eligibility expires, you can stay eligible in the program by doing a repeat prescreen. You will be compensated $50 for each prescreen. Our cell and gene therapy partners count on a reliable group of participants. We invite you to stay eligible and repeat the prescreen process every 90 days.

Yes! You can continue to donate blood, platelets or plasma if you are in the Specialized Donor Program. Like blood donations, you must wait between donating blood and giving a Specialized Donor Program collection. Please call 1-833-595-2214 and a Red Cross team member can provide you more information.

You can learn more, share information with others and schedule a prescreen visit by calling 1-833-595-2214. Thank you for your help. 

Aspirin

Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood or Leukopak collections.

Antibiotics

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

It is acceptable to donate after finishing oral antibiotics for an infection.  You can have taken the last pill on the date of donation. Antibiotic by injection for an infection acceptable 10 days after last injection and you have no symptoms. It is acceptable to donate at any time 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.  You are unable to donate if you have a temperature above 99.5.

Birth Control

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

Immunization, Vaccination

• Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, 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).
• Wait 4 weeks after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Chicken Pox and Shingles.
• 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.

COVID-19 Vaccine and COVID-19 Booster Shot

• Acceptable  providing you are symptom-free and fever-free.

• Monkeypox vaccine
  • Acceptable if administered in the United States, given for prevention and no known exposure to monkeypox, and no symptoms
  • Wait 21 days if you were vaccinated for exposure to monkeypox or the vaccine was administered outside the United States
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
  
  • acceptable as long as you are symptom free
• Smallpox
  • Wait 8 weeks since date of vaccination as long as no vaccine complications
  • If more than 8 weeks since date of vaccination and had vaccine complications, wait 2 weeks from date of last symptom or restriction

• Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last twelve 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 twelve 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.

Insulin

Donors with diabetes who meet insulin requirements below are eligible to donate as long as their diabetes is well controlled. 

·       Insulin from cows (bovine or beef) NOT manufactured from cows in the United Kingdom on or after January 1, 1980 is acceptable.

Donors taking Insulin manufactured from cows in the United Kingdom on or after January 1, 1980 or manufactured from an unknown source are NOT eligible to donate and are deferred indefinitely.

Medications

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 some 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 (dutasteride) or Jalyn (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
• Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood or leukopak.
• Effient (prasugrel), Brilinta (ticagrelor), Feldene (piroxicam), Ticlid (ticlopidine) and Zontivity (vorapaxar) - wait 1 month after last dose of medicine as instructed by a physician to discontinue
• Coumadin (warfarin), Warfilone (warfarin), Jantoven  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 844-811-4886 Option #3 to speak with an eligibility specialist about your individual situation.
• Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 12 months after exposure to hepatitis.
• Oral HIV Prevention (PrEP and PEP) medications - Truvada (Tenofovir), Descovy (emtricitabine), 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)  – no waiting period for donating leukopak. However, you must wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating Whole Blood with the Specialized Donor Program.
• Revlimid (lenalidomide)  – at any time - you are not eligible to donate.
• Rinvoq (upadacitinib) – wait 1 month.
• Thalomid (thalidomide) – 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.

Cold, Flu, COVID-19

• 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.
• COVID-19, call 1-844-811-4886 option #3 for latest guidance and restrictions.    

Weight and Height

You must weigh at least 110 lbs and no more than 500 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety.

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  for the procedure. There is an upper weight limit due to the specifications of the collection device being used.  

Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough

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

Donation Intervals

• Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations and between leukopak donations.
• Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations.

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

Travel

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 call 844-811-4886 Option #3 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.?

Malaria is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes found in certain countries and can be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion. Blood donations are not tested for malaria because there is no sensitive blood test available for malaria.

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 12 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.

Zika Virus

If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, please wait more than 6 months after your symptoms resolve to donate.

Ebola Virus

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

Allergies

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

Asthma

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.

Bleeding Condition

If you have a history of bleeding problems, you will be asked additional questions. If your blood does not clot normally, you cannot 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)
• Heparin
• Jantoven (warfarin) 
• Lovenox (enoxaparin)
• Pradaxa (dabigatran)
• Savaysa (edoxaban)
• Warfilone (warfarin)
• Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

If you are taking aspirin, it is OK to donate leukopaks or whole blood with the Specialized Donor Program. 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.

Blood Pressure (High or Low)

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

Low Blood Pressure - Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate, and your blood pressure is at or above 90 systolic (first number) and at or above 50 diastolic (second number).

Pulse (High or Low)

Acceptable as long as your pulse is no more than 100 and no less than 50. 

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.  

Cancer

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.

Chronic Illnesses

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

CJD

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant that was from an animal or another person 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.

Diabetes

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

Heart Disease

In general, acceptable as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, and  within the last 6 months, have no new diagnosis, no heart related symptoms such as chest pain, no new treatment for the condition, no surgery to correct or diagnose the condition 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.

If you have any of the following heart conditions, you are not eligible to donate:  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.

Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder

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.

Hemochromatosis

If you have hemochromotosis you are not eligible to donate in the Leukopak/Specialized Donor Program

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count

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 cannot be greater than 20 g/dL.

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.  

Hepatitis, Jaundice

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 (after age 11) or hepatitis C at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection.

Hepatitis Exposure

If you live with or have had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis, you must wait 12 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 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion (unless it was your own "autologous" blood), non-sterile needle stick or exposure to someone else's blood.

HIV, AIDS

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

You are at risk for getting infected if you:

• have had sexual contact with anyone who has HIV/Aids or has had a positive test for the HIV/Aids virus in the previous 12 months
• have used needles to take any drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor in the last 5 years
• are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, in the last 5 years
• have taken money, drugs or other payment for sex in the last 5 years
• have had sexual contact in the past 5 years with anyone described above

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

•  Fever
•  Enlarged lymph glands
•  Sore throat
•  Rash

Hypertension, High Blood Pressure

See "Blood Pressure (High)"

Infections

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 ,Leishmaniasis, or Babesiosis are not eligible to donate. 

Lung Conditions – not requiring the use of oxygen

Acceptable as long as you do not have any new diagnosis, limitations on daily activities, are not having any symptoms or difficulty breathing in the last 6 months. If you do require oxygen, you will not be eligible to donate.

Wait 6 months from any difficulty breathing due to the condition, limitations on daily activity, new diagnosis, symptoms, new treatments for the condition or surgery or invasive procedure to correct or diagnose the condition. 

Monkeypox (exposure or diagnosis)

Monkeypox infection or exposure, wait a minimum of 21 days.

Malaria

Malaria is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes found in certain countries and can be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion. Blood donations are not tested for malaria because there is no sensitive blood test available for malaria.

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 12 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. 

Sickle Cell

Acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate.

Skin Disease, Rash, Acne

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.

Tuberculosis

If you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for active tuberculosis do 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.

Measles Exposure

Acceptable if you are healthy and well and have been vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks ago. 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

Acupuncture

Blood Transfusion

Dental Procedures and Oral Surgery

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Organ/Tissue Transplants

Surgery

Acupuncture

Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable.

Blood Transfusion

Wait 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person.

Dental Procedures and Oral Surgery

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.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

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

Organ/Tissue Transplants

Wait 12 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person. If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant that was from an animal or another person, you are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD).

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.

If you ever had a Bone marrow, Cord blood or Stem Cell transplant - you are not eligible to donate blood.

Surgery

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.

Age

Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM)

Intravenous Drug Use

Pregnancy, Nursing

Tattoo

Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis

Age

You must be 18 to 65 years old to donate in the Specialized Donor Program.

Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM)

First-time male donors may be eligible to donate blood if they have not had sex with another man in more than 5 years. All additional blood donation eligibility criteria will apply. 

Q: I thought blood donor eligibility was no longer based on sexual orientation, so why are men who have sex with men still being deferred for certain specialized donor programs?  

A: The American Red Cross seeks to build an inclusive environment that embraces diversity for all those who engage with our lifesaving mission. As such the Red Cross believes blood donation eligibility should not be determined by methods that are based upon sexual orientation and is committed to working with partners toward achieving this goal. 
In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its blood donation guidance—eliminating longstanding broad, time-based deferrals based on sexual orientation for general blood, platelet and plasma donations. Unfortunately, this guidance does not extend to specialized blood donor programs, including cellular collections and leukopak programs. The Red Cross understands how this can be confusing to the LGBTQ+ community who want to participate in these programs and help meet the needs of patients. The Red Cross is committed to working with the FDA to make the donation process, including for specialized donor programs, more inclusive while maintaining the safety of the blood supply. 
Current FDA guidelines for specialized donor programs, including cellular collections and leukopak programs require a 5-year deferral period for men who have sex with men. While men who have sex with men are not currently eligible for certain specialized donor programs, they may be eligible for standard blood, platelet or plasma donation, if all other criteria are met. More information about standard blood donation for the LGBTQ+ community can be found at www.RedCrossBlood.org/LGBTQ.  
 
 

Intravenous Drug Use

Wait 5 years after using IV drugs that were not prescribed by a physician. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis and HIV. 

Pregnancy, Nursing

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

Tattoo

Wait 12 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, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. 
A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Cosmetic tattoos (including microblading of eyebrows only) applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis

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 12 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument.

Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were single-use equipment. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. 

Sexually Transmitted Disease

HIV, AIDS

Venereal Diseases

Syphilis/Gonorrhea

Sexually Transmitted Disease

Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis. For other sexually transmitted diseases, you are acceptable if there is no longer an active infection. For sexually transmitted disease with active infection, such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea-, wait 3 months from last date of symptoms. 

Acceptable if it has been more than 12 months since you completed treatment for syphilis.

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.

HIV, AIDS

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

You are at risk for getting infected if you:

• have had sexual contact with anyone who has HIV/Aids or has had a positive test for the HIV/Aids virus in the previous 12 months
• have used needles to take any drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor in the last 5 years
• are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, in the last 5 years
• have taken money, drugs or other payment for sex in the last 5 years
• have had sexual contact in the past 5 years with anyone described in the three previous bullets above

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

• Fever
•  Enlarged lymph glands
•  Sore throat
•  Rash

Do not give blood if at any time you received HIV treatment 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 (Tenofovir), Descovy (emtricitabine), 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.

Venereal Diseases

See also "Sexually Transmitted Disease"

Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis. For other sexually transmitted diseases, you are acceptable if there is no longer an active infection. For sexually transmitted disease with active infection, such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, wait 3 months from last date of symptoms. 

Acceptable if it has been more than 12 months since you completed treatment for syphilis.

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.

Syphilis

Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis.