Are You Eligible to Donate Blood? Find Out Now!
Tattoos
Getting a tattoo or piercing may affect your eligibility depending on where and how it was done.
- Licensed facility (regulated state): No wait in most cases
- Unregulated facility: 3-month wait
- Recent piercing: 3-month wait (unless done with single-use equipment)
Travel
Travel may impact your ability to donate blood depending on where you’ve been and potential exposure risks.
- International travel: May require a short waiting period
- Malaria-risk areas (travel): Typically a 3-month wait
- Lived in a malaria-risk area: 3-year deferral
- Certain countries/regions: May have longer deferrals
Medication
Most medications don’t affect your ability to donate blood, but eligibility can vary based on the medication and condition.
- Antibiotics: Wait until 1 day after finishing
- PrEP: 3-month wait
- Injections (non-prescribed): 3-month wait
- Blood thinners / Aspirin: May require a short deferral
- Birth control: No impact
Medical History
Your medical history may impact your ability to donate depending on current or past health conditions.
- Cancer: Eligible 1 year after treatment completion
- Blood cancer: Permanent deferral
- Pregnancy: Eligible 6 weeks after
- Diabetes: Eligible if well-managed
- Recent illness/surgery: May require a short wait
When in doubt, feel free to call us at (601) 981-3232.
Ready to donate? If you meet eligibility requirements, book your appointment today! Every visit includes a quick health check—covering your iron levels, pulse, and blood pressure—to ensure it’s safe for you to give.
Still curious about eligibility? Take a moment to review the guidelines. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!