DONATING
 
 
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Donating Blood

Who Can Donate?

Anyone who is in good health, is at least sixteen years old in MO/KS or seventeen in AR, and weighs at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days.

  • Questions regarding blood donation, call: 800-280-5337
  • Questions regarding apheresis donation, call: 800-280-5337

Questions About Eligibility

Some health conditions or medications may temporarily or permanently prevent persons from donating blood.

If you have a question regarding your eligibility to donate blood and would like to discuss it with a Blood Center nurse, please call CBCO at 800-280-5337, or email your question here.

 
Eligibility Scenarios

Medical Conditions
AIDS, individuals at high risk and their partners cannot donate
Cancer contact CBCO at 800-280-5337
Colds and flu cannot donate
Diabetes, on medication (controlled) can donate
Had malaria three-year wait
Jaundice before age 11 can donate
Menstruation can donate
Pregnancy, after delivery, miscarriage, abortion six-week wait
Traveled to malaria area one-year wait

Medical Procedures
Surgery, with transfusion of blood or blood components one-year wait
Surgery, without transfusion can donate

Medications
Allergy Medications, Diuretics, Diet Pills can donate
Antibiotics, injectable seven-day wait
Antibiotics, oral 7 day waiting period from last dose if taken for infection; OK if taken for acne and penicillin-free
Blood Pressure Medications can donate
Sleeping Pills, Tranquilizers, Aspirin, Tylenol can donate

Other Possible Restrictions
Ear/Body Piercing, using sterile, single-use needle can donate
Tattooing at licensed facility in Missouri, Arkansas or Kansas can donate

Vaccinations
Flu can donate
Hepatitis B four-weeks from date of vaccination
Measles, Mumps, Rubella one-month wait

 

You Cannot get AIDS from Donating Blood

Only sterile, disposable equipment is used throughout the donation process, which makes it virtually impossible to contract a disease from donating blood.