DONATE BLOOD
DONATE PLATELETS
We would like to thank our community of dedicated platelet and blood donors for support of our NIH Clinical Center patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit our platelet donation web page for locations and updated hours of operation.
MORE INFORMATION
- About Us
- About Donating
- Make an Appointment
- Types of Donations
- Can I Donate If...?
- After Donating
- Iron and Blood Donation
- How to Find Us
Urgent Updates
African American Whole Blood Donors Urgently Needed
Donor Information
Blood type needs change daily. If you are not sure of your next eligible donation date, please call the NIH Blood Bank at (301) 496-1048.
Walk-in donors are welcome Monday through Friday from 7:30am - 4:30pm.
NIH BLOOD BANK
About Donating
Here is all the information you need to make a whole-blood or platelet donation:
Please contact us to ask questions about types of donations.
Am I Eligible to Donate?
You can donate blood or platelets if you:
- Are healthy
- Are at least 17 years of age
- Weigh at least 110 pounds.
The tables below address specific situations affecting donation eligibility. See Can I Donate If...? for more details about medical conditions and/or medications that could affect your eligibility to donate.
| Medical Condition | Eligibility |
| Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), individuals at high risk and their partners | cannot donate |
| Colds and flu within 2 days | cannot donate |
| Diabetes, on or off medication and under control | can donate |
| Hepatitis B or C | cannot donate |
| Pregnancy | cannot donate |
| Pregnancy, after delivery, miscarriage, abortion | 6-week wait |
| Menstruation | can donate |
| Cancer, treatment complete and disease-free; most types | 2-year wait |
| Medical Procedures | Eligibility |
| Surgery, without transfusion (except for autologous blood) | wait varies with procedure |
| Surgery, with transfusion | 3-month wait |
| Vaccinations | Eligibility |
| Measles (rubella); measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); chicken pox (varicella) | 1-month wait |
| Flu | can donate |
| Hepatitis A or B | can donate |
| COVID-19 Vaccine | 2-week wait |
| Other Possible Restrictions | Eligibility |
| Ear/Body piercing, sterile procedure/equipment used | can donate |
| Ear/Body piercing, nonsterile procedure/equipment used | 3-month wait |
| Tattooing | 3-month wait |
| Travel outside the United States or Canada | Contact us |
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This page last updated on 04/14/2021
