• Age: 17 years of age and in good health. 16 years of age with parental consent form. There is no upper age limit.
• Weight: Minimum of 110 lb.
• ID: Picture ID required at time of donation (per Federal Law).
• Medications: Must have completed antibiotics 3 days prior to giving blood. OK to donate if taking aspirin (except platelet donors), antihistamines, birth control pills, blood pressure medicine and vitamins.
• Eating: We suggest you eat a meal before your blood donation.
• Drinking: Drink lots of water or juice several hours before or after your donation.
• Strenuous Activity: Should be avoided for 12 - 24 hours after donating blood. Individuals with a hazardous or strenuous job should donate at the end of their work shift.
• Diabetes: OK to donate if controlled by diet or oral medication. If Insulin dependant, must be stable.
• Asthma: Acceptable if asymptomatic and on normal medications (including bronchodilators) for management. Symptomatic asthma, or requiring oral steroids for management is not acceptable.
• Epilepsy: More than one seizure in the past 6 months, or multiple seizures are not acceptable to donate blood. If controlled with medication, and there has been no more than one seizure in the past 6 months, is acceptable.
• Cancer: Cured local skin cancer (simple basal cell or squamous cell), as well as Cervical cancer in situ is acceptable. Most other forms of cancer are acceptable 5 years after being treated and released by your primary physician.
• Mitral Valve Prolapse: Ok to donate if asymptomatic, no arrhythmias, and no limitations of activities.

• Colds and Flu: Must be in good  health and feeling well on the day of donation.
• Dental Work: OK to donate 72 hours after a minor surgical procedure, 24 hours after a cleaning.
• Allergy Shots: OK to donate.
• Other Shots: No shots for measles or mumps in the last 2 weeks; rubella in the last 4 weeks.
• Small Pox: OK to donate 21 days after vaccination or contact with someone who has, and no complications.
• Needle Sticks: None in the past year.
• Pregnancy:  OK to donate 6 weeks after routine delivery, 6-months after a C-section. It is ok to donate while breastfeeding.
• Acupuncture: Procedures performed with sterile disposable needles in a doctor's office are acceptable, with written verification from acupuncturist.
• Blood Donation: You may donate whole blood every 56 days.
• Tattoo / Skin Branding / Permanent Make-up applied:  None in the past year.
• Ear and Body Piercing:  Acceptable after 2 weeks and only if sterile, single use needle or equipment was used.  12 month deferral if any other method was used.
• Blood Transfusions: None in the past year except your own (autologous).
• Malaria: Those who have lived in an endemic area for one year or more must have left the endemic area at least 3 years to qualify as a blood donor. Travel to a malaria zone is a 12 month deferral from date of departure from the endemic area.
• Medications: Acutane, Proscar and Propecia - OK to donate 30 days after last dosage. Avodart - OK to donate 6 months after last dose.

• HIV infection with or without symptoms of AIDS or Hepatitis. Men who have had sex with another man (even once) since 1977.
• Any lymphoma, leukemia, melanoma.
• Medication: Tegison, heart-regulating medications, anti-coagulants (i.e. Coumadin), long-term steroid therapy, Bovine (beef) insulin.
• Travel to or residing in the UK for 3 months or more between 1980 - 1996.
• Travel to or residing in Europe for 5 years or more between 1980 and the present.
• Autoimmune Disorders, including: Crohn's disease, Grave's disease, Lupus, MS, Rheumatoid arthritis

Please call the Providence Blood Donor Center at (800) 469-9555 if you have any questions about your eligibility to donate.