Age
At least 17 years of age. In Illinois and Indiana, 16-year-olds are eligible provided they have written approval from parent/guardian. There is no upper age limit.

Weight
110 pounds or more.

Diet
It is recommended to eat something within the four hours preceding the donation.

Interval Between Blood Donations
Must be eight (8) weeks between regular whole blood donations. Waiting period must be sixteen (16) weeks after double red cell apheresis for any type of donation.

Tattoo
Twelve (12) month waiting period after procedure.

Ear-Body Piercing
Acceptable (no waiting period) if done with sterile single use equipment.

Allergy
Acceptable if no acute symptoms on the day of the donation.

Antibiotics
Acceptable after last dose.

Asthma
Acceptable if under control.

Diabetes
Acceptable if controlled by diet or medications and is not associated with major organ disease (heart, kidneys, etc).

Cancer (malignancy)
Acceptable if symptom free, pronounced cured after five (5) years and otherwise in good health.

Cold or Flu
Fever, persistent cough, sore throat or chest congestion disqualify a donor.

Dental Surgery
Acceptable 72 hours after procedure.

Hepatitis
History of viral hepatitis after the age of 10 years disqualifies a donor. Sharing the same household with a person suffering from hepatitis - twelve (12) month waiting period.

High Blood Pressure
May donate provided blood pressure is within normal range at time of donation.

Immunization and Vaccinations
Variable waiting period depending upon vaccine. Refer to Blood Collection Staff.

Pregnancy
Six (6) week waiting period after delivery.

Surgery, Blood Transfusion, Tissue Transplant
Blood transfusion, surgery requiring blood transfusion, or tissue transplant - twelve (12) month waiting period. Dura mater, corneal, bone marrow or major organ transplants - permanent deferral.

Travel Outside U.S. or Canada (Malarial Risk)
Due to Malarial risk, anyone who has traveled outside the U. S. or Canada  should check with Donor Services Staff to determine eligibility. Had malaria, residence or military service in a malaria area (5 years or more) - three (3) year waiting period. Visit to malaria area (less than 5 years) - one (1) year waiting period.  Among others, regions at risk of malaria include most sub-Saharan African and many Asian countries, some states of Mexico, areas in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cost Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Haiti and others.  Refer to staff for details.

Travel to United Kingdom (risk for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease - vCJD)
Spent a cumulative three (3) months or more between 1980 and 1996 in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or the Falkland Islands), and/or having received transfusion of blood in the U.K. since 1980 - indefinite waiting period.

Residence on Military Base in Europe (risk for vCJD)
If you were a member of the U. S. military, a civilian military employee or a dependent of a member of the U. S. military and spent a cumulative six (6) months or more associated with a military base in Belgium, the Netherlands, or Germany between 1980 and 1990, and/or spent a cumulative six (6) months or more associated with a military base in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy, or Greece between 1980 and 1996 - indefinite waiting period.

Travel to Europe (risk for vCJD)
Spent a cumulative five (5) years or more in Europe (including time spent in the U. K. from 1980 through 1996) since 1980 - indefinite waiting period.

Medications
Bring list of medications taken and refer to Heartland staff for acceptability. Medications for high cholesterol, blood pressure and allergies, replacement hormones (estrogens, thyroid hormones, etc.) and most anti-inflammatory drugs are acceptable.

Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret (for acne), Propecia (for hair loss), Proscar (for prostate condition) - one (1) month waiting period after last dose.

Avodart (for prostate condition) - six (6) months after last dose.

Soriatane (for psoriasis)- three (3) years waiting period after last dose.

Tegison (for psoriasis)- permanent deferral.

Other Possible Disqualifications
Persons at risk for HIV infection (at risk for AIDS): Men who had sex with other men, prostitutes, past/current intravenous drug users, sexual partners of someone at risk for HIV, hemophiliacs, persons with  history of sexually transmitted disease or incarceration in the past twelve (12) months. Persons at risk for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.